Newark and Sherwood GP explains face coverings as they become mandatory on public transport and/or visiting hospitals
A major announcement this week is that from Monday anyone using public transport and/or visiting a hospital will be required to wear a face covering, writes Dr Thilian Bartholomeuz in his latest column.
This will be a big change for a number of us so I wanted to give some simple advice on what this means.
Firstly, remember that a face covering is not the same as the masks that health and care staff have been wearing. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them.
A face covering is something simpler that can be made at home.
The government has given guidance on how you can do this at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
Secondly, a face covering will not necessarily protect you but can help prevent you spreading coronavirus if you have the infection but haven’t shown any symptoms yet.
Thirdly, even with a face covering on you must still keep to social distancing rules, which means if you develop symptoms you and the members of your household still have to isolate at home to prevent the infection spreading to others.
You must also wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off, again to make sure you are minimising the chance of spreading coronavirus.
There are some exceptions to this, such as children under two and those with respiratory conditions already who may find it difficult to wear a face covering.
You can check out the latest information from the government on face coverings here to make sure you are up to date here.
Please stay safe and if you have any questions check the official advice first at nhs.uk/coronavirus.