SAGE has urged the Government to make Brits wear face masks outdoors while the country grapples with the highly-infectious Kent coronavirus variant.
In a recommendation made on January 13, experts said advice on face masks ‘should be strengthened’ to deal with the devastating winter wave of infections.
The group called for people to consider wearing them outside in crowded areas including parks, supermarket queues or outdoor markets.
They said it is possible the Kent variant can infect people within a short exposure window, which makes mask wearing an even more ‘important mitigation strategy’.
SAGE stressed that while masks play only a small role in overall transmission nationally, widespread usage could help contain the spread of the new variant.
The recommendation echoes comments made by England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty, who admitted there was a ‘risk’ when people huddled closely even outside.
So far the Government has resisted calls to make face coverings compulsory outdoors, but not wearing one on public transport or in indoor public spaces is still punishable with fines of up to £200.
