Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidential basis is for the guidance on the voluntary use of face coverings whilst on public transport and in public spaces.

In June 2020, Public Health England (PHE) used an established methodology to complete a rapid review of the evidence related to face coverings in the community and COVID-19 and concluded that “the beneficial effects of wearing masks may be increased when combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as hand washing and social distancing.” A second review published in January 2021 corroborated the findings of the first and found consistent evidence that the use of face coverings in community settings reduced the spread of COVID-19.

These reviews also looked at laboratory simulations in which the filtration efficacy of face coverings was tested. All face covering materials tested were deemed to offer some protection to the wearer through filtration of aerosol and droplet transmission compared with no barrier at all, and mouth and nose cover reduced droplet spread from the wearer. The review noted that this evidence derives from laboratory conditions and only simulates the COVID-19 virus, so may not take into account conditions in the community.

PHE’s review findings supports the voluntary wearing of face coverings as they can have beneficial impacts for wearers and others around them. The Government recommends their use in crowded and enclosed space where through guidance.