, Labour’s Shadow Health
Secretary, has written to calling for urgent clarity on
the wearing of face masks in public places after conflicting
statements from Government Ministers.
Noting the Prime Minister’s comments that face coverings may
become mandatory, but that no guidance on this has yet been
published, and noting that other Ministers have made statements
that this should not be the case, Ashworth has called for a
statement and clear guidance from Ministers on mandatory face
coverings as lockdown measures are further relaxed in the coming
weeks.
In a letter to , said:
“Conflicting advice and conflicting statements from the
Government only hinder our fight against the virus. Clear
communication is vital in combatting the spread of Covid-19.
“For the public to know that they are doing the right thing in
shops, restaurants and other crowded places, I am asking that you
urgently set out the position on face coverings.
“As lockdown rules are further relaxed this week, it is vital
that updated guidance on this issue is published by the
Government without delay.”
Ends
Full text of letter:
Dear Matt,
I am writing to you regarding the continued uncertainty about the
use of face coverings in public places.
On Friday 10 July, the Prime Minister suggested that face
coverings could be compulsory in shops in England. Today he has
said that a statement would be published on this “in the next few
days”. The confusion around the use of face coverings and whether
they will become mandatory needs to be addressed through a
statement from Ministers as a matter of priority.
The World Health Organisation already advises that face coverings
should be worn “where there is widespread transmission and
physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in
shops or in other confined or crowded environments”.
However, since the Prime Minister’s comments on this topic, we
have seen comments from the Cabinet Office Minister appearing to
contradict the Prime Minister which has led to uncertainty and
confusion about whether the Government will be changing the
guidance on face coverings. Other Ministers have appeared to
suggest that face coverings would only be recommended, rather
than mandatory.
Conflicting advice and conflicting statements from the Government
only hinder our fight against the virus. Clear communication is
vital in combatting the spread of Covid-19. For the public to
know that they are doing the right thing in shops, restaurants
and other crowded places, I am asking that you urgently set out
the position on face coverings.
As lockdown rules are further relaxed this week, it is vital that
updated guidance on this issue is published by the Government
without delay.
As you know, we want the Government to succeed in combatting the
spread of this virus. Publishing clear and consistent advice on
face coverings is vital in maintaining public confidence and
keeping people safe.
Yours sincerely,
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
