Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of the wearing of home-made salt-coated face masks by the general public during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government continues to be led by the evidence in our response to COVID-19. Following Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies advice, we think there will be some benefit for people wearing face coverings in enclosed public spaces where social distancing is not possible or where they are more likely to come into contact with people they do not normally meet. This is most relevant on public transport or in some shops.

Comprehensive guidance can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy