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NICOLA Sturgeon has told Scots to wear masks in shops and on transport despite the UK Government still not changing its official guidance.

The announcement came today as Boris Johnson's team continued to review advice from SAGE on the use of the masks.

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 Scots have been advised to wear masks in enclosed spaces like transport
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Scots have been advised to wear masks in enclosed spaces like transportCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Matt Hancock said today the UK Government's advice on face masks had not changed
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Matt Hancock said today the UK Government's advice on face masks had not changedCredit: crown copyright

The Scottish Government are recommending the public wear textile face coverings such as a scarf, rather than medical grade masks.

In a statement earlier, they said: "The evidence on the use of face coverings is limited, but there may be some benefit in wearing a facial covering when you leave the house and enter enclosed spaces, especially where physical distancing is more difficult and where there is a risk of close contact with multiple people you do not usually meet.

"Examples include, travelling on public transport or entering a food shop where it is not always possible to maintain a 2 metre distance from another customer.

"There is no evidence to suggest there might be a benefit outdoors, unless in an unavoidable crowded situation, where there may be some benefit."

They added that it won't be compulsory.

The masks are required to be made out of fabric so as not take away vital resources from the NHS.

But Matt Hancock said this evening that the evidence was "weak" and the Government position hasn't yet changed.

At tonight's press conference he said: "On face masks we are guided by the science. The UK Government position hasn't changed.

"Not least because the most important thing people can do is the social distancing, as opposed to the weak science on face masks."

And Angela McClean, the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence, added: "The recommendation from SAGE is completely clear, there is weak evidence of a small effect that a face masks can prevent a source of infection from somebody who is infected to the people around them.
"We have passed that on to our colleagues in Government with which to make a decision."

It comes after The Sun revealed last week that SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) was set to recommend Brits wear face masks in public places where people can't stay 2m apart.

Ministers are still studying the findings and deciding whether to change advice across the whole of the UK.

Downing Street insist that the UK-wide decision on masks had yet to be made, but hasn't said when it will be.

A spokesperson said: "SAGE’s review has been sent to ministers who are considering the advice that they have been given.

"Once a decision has been reached we will announce it publicly."

It's believed that the decision may come alongside other tweaks to lockdown guidance.

Former Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King told Sky News earlier: "If I were moving to control the spread of the epidemic, I would wish to see everyone outdoors, in particular going shopping, wearing a face mask."

Government still maintaining policy on face masks to combat coronavirus as science is 'weak'

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Today Michael Gove revealed Britain is producing more cloth face coverings, suggesting the advice will go UK-wide in the near future.

The senior Minister told the House of Commons: "The Honorable Lady mentioned face masks as part of our broader effort to ensure that we have the right personal protective equipment.

"As she knows there is a difference between the high spec surgical face masks that will be required in an NHS and other healthcare settings, and the sorts of face coverings that can ensure that we limit the droplets that each of us might be responsible for producing in particular settings.

"I can confirm that my Honourable Friend, Lord Agnew, the joint Cabinet Office and Treasury minister, has launched a domestic effort to ensure that we produce just such masks, and that's part of the broader effort that Lord Deighton is leading on ensuring that we can bolster the production of personal protective equipment."

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It's believed that the experts think face coverings won't help stop Brits from catching the virus themselves, but could help in stopping them spread it to others if they don't have any symptoms.

A Whitehall source told The Sun last week: "No decision is going to be made which would take medical masks away from the NHS.

"Everybody is very clear on that."

This morning the Daily Telegraph claimed the Department for Transport was examining whether to ask Brits to wear face coverings on public transport.

No10 insisted today that the May 7 date was the Government's focus with regards to any changes.

It comes after weeks of debate from experts on whether face masks will have an effect on the spread of the virus or not.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is no evidence to support the use of face masks by the general population - and only people in health care settings should use them.

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Doctors have insisted that any changes must not take away vital PPE from the frontline.

For weeks medics have been crying out that they don't have enough supplies to keep them same.

If face mask guidance was changed, it would be stressed that people could use scarves, balklavas or cloth masks instead.

Several other countries have asked citizens to wear masks when outside the house, including in America and some parts of France.

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South African president hilariously struggles to get mask on during televised address

 

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