June 5, 2020 10.13 am This story is over 45 months old

People should wear face coverings wherever necessary now, say Lincolnshire health bosses

County bosses were unsurprised by the rule
Stock photo.

People should start wearing face coverings sooner than the government’s new rules say health bosses.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced during the government’s briefing that from June 15 it would be compulsory to wear basic masks on public transport – with those who don’t facing fines and removal.

The move lines up with the next wave of pupils returning to schools and businesses opening.

The British Medical Association has called for the rule to be extended to include places where social distancing is not possible and for it to be brought in sooner.

Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council Derek Ward said he was not surprised and that it was “all about personal responsibility”.

“I guess it might be a reflection of maybe not enough people following the guidelines, because those guidelines have been in place for a little while now already on public transport,” he said.

He acknowledged that guidance over face masks had originally indicated they weren’t effective, but said further research has shown them to be “a positive benefit”.

He added: “If you are going into an environment wearing a face covering is not a bad idea at the moment if you can’t maintain your two metres.”

However, if people were in an area where social distancing was impossible, Mr Ward said they should first consider if they need to be in there.

He said that if they did, a face covering would still reduce the risk by a “smallish proportion”.