Advice around wearing face masks

Since 19^th July the NHS continues to follow guidelines on social distancing and the wearing of PPE. If you’re attending a healthcare setting such as a hospital or GP practice for any reason, please remember to wear a face covering and keep a safe distance from others.

For the latest advice on face coverings, see the government guidance here.

The latest scientific evidence shows that people who are infected with COVID-19 can have very mild or no respiratory symptoms, and can therefore spread the virus without realising. You can still catch and spread the virus if you’re fully vaccinated.

Continuing to wear a face covering in healthcare settings will help to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus and help to keep staff and patients safe.

Face coverings are different to face masks in that they can be homemade, made of cloth and be reusable. If you don’t have one, hospital staff will provide one for you when you arrive.

Family members can wear a face covering when being visited in the home by a health professional. Children under the age of 3 should NOT wear a mask or face covering.

Health professionals will assess each home visit for coronavirus related risks.

The full guidance on wearing face coverings and masks can be found here.

You can also find more information about staying safe outside of your home here.

It is not recommended that children and babies under the age of 3 wear masks or any face covering. This is due to the immediate and significant risks they can cause an infant or young child.

The risks of suffocation and strangulation are high because:

• Babies and toddler’s windpipes are smaller and softer than those of adults and older children, so they could be strangled by a mask getting stuck around their neck. This would happen quickly and quietly
• A mask could restrict an infant or young child’s breathing and could cause suffocation

For these reasons it is NOT advised that babies or children under the age of 3 wear face coverings or masks at any time.

Public Health England recommend that the best way to reduce the risk of infection is by maintaining 2 metre social distance with people from outside your household and washing hands more often for 20 seconds.

The government are consistently reviewing the advice that is given, so keep up-to-date via GOV.UK

Useful links

• GOV.UK- Advice for staying safe outside