WHO Sends Strong Recommendation for Wearing Masks

People living in areas with COVID-19 spread should wear masks in shops, workplaces and schools if ventilation is not adequate, the WHO said in new advice

Amid Covid-19 pandemic people living in areas with COVID-19 spread should wear masks in shops, workplaces and schools if ventilation is not adequate, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in new advice issued on Wednesday.

"The use of masks is part of a comprehensive package of the prevention and control measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19," WHO had earlier stated.

Health workers could wear N95 masks if available when caring for COVID-19 patients, but the only proven protection is when they are doing aerosol-generating procedures, the UN agency said, updating its previous guidance of June.

World leaders, the top leadership of the UN and vaccine developers will address a two-day, special session of the UN General Assembly on COVID-19 this week and discuss the pandemic's impact as well as the multi-faceted, coordinated response required to address the greatest global health crisis in decades.

WHO's announcement came at a time when the novel coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 64 million people and killed over 1.4 million across the world.

To contain the spread of the virus, the world is on its way to prepare for a potential coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.

The UK on Wednesday became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, paving the way for mass vaccinations against the deadly novel coronavirus from as early as next week.

Around 50 hospitals are on standby and vaccination centres in venues such as conference centres are being set up now, with...