GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization on Friday backed the use of fabric face masks in places where the new coronavirus is widespread and physical distancing is difficult, in a change of advice. ADVERTISEMENTThe use of masks has been a hot topic ever since the pandemic first emerged in China in December. In areas with community-level virus transmission, “we advise that people aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible”, he added. But in an update affecting healthcare workers, the WHO now recommends that in areas with widespread virus transmission, all people working in clinical areas of a health facility should wear medical masks — not just those dealing with patients with COVID-19. He said they were not a replacement for physical distancing and hand hygiene.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 05, 2020 18:00 UTC