The public will not be told to wear face masks to stop coronavirus unless the government’s scientists say it is necessary, a minister has said.

Grant Shapps said the evidence on whether masks work was “quite mixed”.

It comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for people to wear non-medical face masks – such as scarves or bandanas – in public as “additional protection” to social distancing.

Masks have been made compulsory in some places, including in New York.

On Friday Mr Khan – who has urged the UK government to change its guidelines on face masks – said masks should be worn when people cannot keep two metres apart such as on public transport or while shopping.

“Wearing a non-medical facial covering makes it less likely you may inadvertently give somebody else Covid-19,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“What I’m lobbying for is, at the moment, when you can’t keep your distance, wear a non-medical facial covering,” he said.

“But when it comes to exiting lockdown, we may need to have all of us wearing it as well.” Read more

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Target of a million doses by September

hw.ca