Matt Hancock introduces mandatory face coverings in hospital for medics, staff add outpatients

Face coverings will become compulsory in hospitals for all staff and outpatients, Matt Hancock said today.  

Medical and other staff will have to wear surgical masks at all times, the Health Secretary announced tonight.

And outpatients attending appointments will not be allowed in without wearing the sort of face coverings that can be made at home, he told tonight’s Downright Street press conference.

The announcement came after a similar move yesterday, when it was revealed face coverings would be compulsory on public transport from the same day.

Mr Hancock told tonight’s press conference that the move was required to protect all hospital workers as NHS units gradually reopen their doors for proceedures that were delayed by the coronavirus response.

‘All hospital visitors and outpatients will need to wear face coverings,’ he said.

‘One of the things that we have learned is that all hospital workers are more likely to catch coronavirus whether they work in a clinical setting or not.’