Two companies have been banned from using "scaremongering" adverts for face masks which made false claims about their ability to stop the coronavirus from spreading.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the adverts were "misleading, irresponsible and likely to cause fear without justifiable reason".

Adverts by Easy Shopping 4 Home Ltd appeared on the Amazon website, while Novads OU advertised its Oxybreath Pro mask on the Scottish Sun website via the Taboola network, as well as on CNN.com and other sites.

Image: A listing on Amazon was banned

Image: The ads were described as 'misleading'

One of the Oxybreath Pro adverts said: "It would be an understatement to say that there is a growing sense of panic.

"The best advice I've heard is to stay calm and take practical measures to protect yourself.


"One of the best ways to protect yourself is to get a high-quality face mask that can protect you from: viruses, bacteria, and other air pollutants."

Another advert said: "New nano tech face mask is selling out fast in United Kingdom."

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Advice from Public Health England does not recommend the use of masks to protect the public from coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also says healthy people should only wear a mask if they are caring for a person suspected of being infected with the virus.

There is little evidence of their effectiveness outside of clinical settings and those who wear them improperly are more likely to touch their faces frequently, increasing the risk of infection.

The ASA said the adverts were in breach of its code and ordered the two companies not to repeat their claims.

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A spokesman for the ASA said: "Our rules require that UK ads are truthful and responsible.

"The ads were misleading because the claims went against advice offered by the public health authority and irresponsible because they were alarmist and played on people's fears."