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Coronavirus: Matt Hancock rejects face coverings for offices | Coronavirus: Matt Hancock rejects face coverings for offices |
(32 minutes later) | |
There are no plans to make face coverings mandatory for office workers in England, Matt Hancock has said. | There are no plans to make face coverings mandatory for office workers in England, Matt Hancock has said. |
The health secretary told BBC Breakfast people working in offices will not need to cover up, despite a newspaper report suggesting they would have to. | The health secretary told BBC Breakfast people working in offices will not need to cover up, despite a newspaper report suggesting they would have to. |
"It is something we've looked at and rejected," he said, but added masks would be worn elsewhere by the public "for the foreseeable future". | "It is something we've looked at and rejected," he said, but added masks would be worn elsewhere by the public "for the foreseeable future". |
Face coverings in shops will become mandatory in England on 24 July. | Face coverings in shops will become mandatory in England on 24 July. |
Mr Hancock said coverings help prevent spread during brief encounters with strangers, but that social distancing and hand washing are more effective for contact with people over long periods of time. | Mr Hancock said coverings help prevent spread during brief encounters with strangers, but that social distancing and hand washing are more effective for contact with people over long periods of time. |
There is a difference between visiting a shop for a few minutes and working alongside colleagues at a desk for several hours, he said. | There is a difference between visiting a shop for a few minutes and working alongside colleagues at a desk for several hours, he said. |
"When you're in close proximity with somebody that you have to work closely to, if you're there for a long time with them, then a mask doesn't offer that protection. | "When you're in close proximity with somebody that you have to work closely to, if you're there for a long time with them, then a mask doesn't offer that protection. |
"The same logic applies for schools - we're not recommending masks for schools because if you're in a classroom with kids all day then a mask doesn't give you protection." | "The same logic applies for schools - we're not recommending masks for schools because if you're in a classroom with kids all day then a mask doesn't give you protection." |
Mr Hancock said face coverings were effective "in a shop or public transport, for instance, when you're with somebody for a reasonable amount of time - a few minutes - but not all day." | Mr Hancock said face coverings were effective "in a shop or public transport, for instance, when you're with somebody for a reasonable amount of time - a few minutes - but not all day." |
"The point is when you're in interaction with people who you aren't normally with, that's where the mask may be particularly helpful." | "The point is when you're in interaction with people who you aren't normally with, that's where the mask may be particularly helpful." |
He added: "We are not proposing to extend masks to offices." | He added: "We are not proposing to extend masks to offices." |
Mr Hancock said the public needed to get used to wearing face coverings in shops and at NHS facilities "for the foreseeable future". | Mr Hancock said the public needed to get used to wearing face coverings in shops and at NHS facilities "for the foreseeable future". |
"People have got to play their part," he said. | "People have got to play their part," he said. |
It comes after it was announced those who fail to comply with the new rules on wearing face coverings in England's shops will face a fine of up to £100. | It comes after it was announced those who fail to comply with the new rules on wearing face coverings in England's shops will face a fine of up to £100. |
Children under 11, those with certain disabilities, and people working in shops will be exempt. | Children under 11, those with certain disabilities, and people working in shops will be exempt. |
Scotland already requires shoppers to cover their faces while Wales and Northern Ireland are both weighing similar policies. | Scotland already requires shoppers to cover their faces while Wales and Northern Ireland are both weighing similar policies. |
Mr Hancock told the Commons on Tuesday the new rule would "give people more confidence to shop safely and enhance protections for those who work in shops". | Mr Hancock told the Commons on Tuesday the new rule would "give people more confidence to shop safely and enhance protections for those who work in shops". |
Mask-wearing has been compulsory on public transport in England and at NHS facilities across the UK since 15 June. | Mask-wearing has been compulsory on public transport in England and at NHS facilities across the UK since 15 June. |