In an attempt to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus, an increasing number of countries have made wearing face masks mandatory in public spaces, with citizens facing a possible fine if caught without one.

There have been a number of conflicting opinions on whether face masks can prevent the new coronavirus from transmitting from one person to another. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of medical masks for sick people, those with COVID-19 symptoms, health workers, people caring for suspected or confirmed cases, people aged 60 and over, and those with underlying health conditions.

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It also recommends fabric masks for the general public where there is a risk of widespread community transmission and physical distancing is difficult.

"Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water," WHO said.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said despite there being no evidence for self-protection, covering the mouth and nose can trap infectious droplets that are expelled when the wearer is speaking, coughing or sneezing. That is, face masks are designed to protect people from the wearer.

Other governments, such as the United Kingdom and Singapore, have urged the public not to wear masks in order to ensure enough supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.

Meanwhile, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not specifically advocate the use of surgical masks but does advise the use of "simple cloth face coverings" made from common household materials to slow the spread of the virus and prevent asymptomatic people from transmitting it to others.

In Asian nations such as China, Taiwan or Hong Kong, masks were relatively common even before the coronavirus pandemic, which is credited to populations used to wearing coverings because of either pollution or previous experience with the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks.

Venezuela was among the first countries to impose the mandatory use of face masks in public back in March.

Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to wear in public on March 16.

On March 18, the Czech Republic became the first European country to make wearing masks mandatory in supermarkets, pharmacies, and public transport.

Slovakia followed suit on March 25, and in an attempt to dispel away the stigma associated with face masks, President Zuzana Caputova wore a red one that matched her dress during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.

On March 29, Bosnia and Herzegovina made it mandatory for its citizens to wear a face mask or a cloth covering their mouth and nose while walking in the streets or outside their homes.

On April 4, Colombia made wearing face masks compulsory on the public transport system and public areas such as stores, outdoor marketplaces and banks.

The United Arab Emirates also announced on the same day that face masks should be worn at all times when outside the home.

Cuba followed suit on April 6, and a day later Ecuador decided to make the use of face masks obligatory in public spaces.

On April 6, Austria also made masks mandatory in public spaces, with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz acknowledging that wearing them would require a "big adjustment" because "masks are alien to our country".

In North Africa, Morocco made wearing face masks mandatory on April 7, with the government warning anyone who fails to comply faces a prison sentence of up to three months and a fine of 1,300 dirhams ($130).

On the same day, Turkey ordered all of its citizens to wear masks when shopping or visiting crowded public places. The country has surpassed Iran in becoming the heaviest affected nation in the Middle East, and the government said it will deliver masks to every family free of charge.

On April 8, El Salvador made face masks mandatory in public, and Chile's health ministry announced that face masks must be worn while using the public transport system.

On April 9, Cameroon imposed masks for people leaving their homes. A dozen more African countries followed suit soon after: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.

Nigeria is expected to join them in early May after state governors asked President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the compulsory use of face masks in public.

On April 12, Israel made it mandatory for its citizens to wear face masks while out in public.

Argentina made face masks obligatory for everyone using public transport and out in public on April 14.

On April 16, the Ministry of Health in Poland made covering the face with either a mask or homemade piece of fabric such as a scarf mandatory. This applies to green areas such as parks and beaches as well as public places such as roads, squares, religious facilities, commercial facilities, and marketplaces.

On April 20, Luxembourg made the use of face masks mandatory in public places where it is not possible to keep enough distance between one person and the other, such as public transport and supermarkets.

On April 21, Jamaica imposed a series of new coronavirus restrictions such as a revised curfew and also made it mandatory for citizens to wear a face mask in public spaces.

On April 22, Germany became the latest European country to make the wearing of face masks compulsory when on public transport and while shopping in all of its 16 states.

On the same day, Bahrain made wearing face masks in public areas compulsory for citizens and residents as well as shop workers.

On April 26, Qatar made the use of face masks mandatory for government and private sector employees and clients, shoppers at food and catering stores and workers in the contracting sector. On May 17, the Gulf state made wearing masks in public mandatory, with violators facing up to three years in jail and fines of as much as $55,000.

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On May 3, Honduras made face masks obligatory for people going outside their homes.

On May 5, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda said every person who leaves their home must wear a cloth face mask to stop the spread the COVID-19.

On May 10, France made the use of face masks in public mandatory, as the country is set to emerge from its coronavirus lockdown the following day.

Spain made it compulsory on May 20 for everyone older than six to wear masks in indoor public spaces, and outdoor ones when it is impossible to keep more than two metres apart.

Starting from May 26, South Korea made it mandatory for people to wear masks when using public transportation and taxis nationwide. On the same day, Lebanon announced that it would begin issuing fines from May 29 of up to 50,000 Lebanese pounds ($33) to anyone not wearing a mask in public.

On May 30, Pakistan made it compulsory for people to wear a face mask in crowded public spaces inlcluding mosques, bazaars, shopping malls and public transport.

In a decree signed on August 16, Italy's government said that from 6pm to 6am, the wearing of masks would be mandatory in public areas where groups could form.