In an attempt to contain the spread of Corona Virus, an increasing number of countries have made wearing face masks mandatory in public space with citizens facing a possible fine if found with out one.
There have been a number of conflicting opinions on whether face masks can prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 from one person to another. The World Health Organization [WHO] has recommended that healthy people do not need to wear masks but those who are feeling unwell and are coughing and sneezing, as well as caring for someone who is infected should do so.
“Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaninng with alcohol based hand rub or soap and water,” WHO recommended.
Other countries such as UK and Singapore have urged public not to wear masks in order to ensure enough supplies and Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) for healthcare workers.
Contrary to WHO, the US Centre for Disease Control [CDC] doesn’t specifically advocate the use of surgical masks but advises the use of a simple cloth face covering made fromhousehold materials to slow down the spread of the virus and prevent symptomatic people from transmitting the virus to other uninfected people.
However, to countries that are enforcing wearing masks, its believed that face masks help in spreading micromucus droplets from a person’s mouth such as cough, saliva and sneezing thus a requirement for every individualwho goes in public spaces.
Today, about 50 countries have made wearing face masks in public spaces mandatory. Most recent is Roman Catholic Church in Italy which has entered an agreement with the government to allow Eucharistic Mass celebrations. The move will see priests and congregations putting on masks during Mass. Other countries include:
Venezuela was among the first countries to impose the mandatory use of face masks in public back in March.
Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to wear in public on March 16.
On March 18, the Czech Republic became the first European country to make wearing masks mandatory in supermarkets, pharmacies, and public transport.
Slovakia followed suit on March 25, and in an attempt to dispel away the stigma associated with face masks, President Zuzana Caputova wore a red one that matched her dress during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.
On March 29, Bosnia and Herzegovina made it mandatory for its citizens to wear a face mask or a cloth covering their mouth and nose while walking in the streets or outside their homes.
On April 4, Colombia made wearing face masks compulsory on the public transport system and public areas such as stores, outdoor marketplaces and banks.
The United Arab Emirates also announced on the same day that face masks should be worn at all times when outside the home.
Cuba followed suit on April 6, and a day later Ecuador decided to make the use of face masks obligatory in public spaces.
On April 6, Austria also made masks mandatory in public spaces, with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz acknowledging that wearing them would require a “big adjustment” because “masks are alien to our country”.
In North Africa, Morocco made wearing face masks mandatory on April 7, with the government warning anyone who fails to comply faces a prison sentence of up to three months and a fine of 1,300 dirhams ($130).
On the same day, Turkey ordered all of its citizens to wear masks when shopping or visiting crowded public places. The country has surpassed Iran in becoming the heaviest affected nation in the Middle East, and the government said it will deliver masks to every family free of charge.
On April 8, El Salvador made face masks mandatory in public, and Chile‘s health ministry announced that face masks must be worn while using the public transport system.
On April 9, Cameroon imposed masks for people leaving their homes. A dozen more African countries followed suit soon after: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea,Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya,Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.
Nigeria is expected to join them in early May after state governors asked President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the compulsory use of face masks in public.
On April 12, Israel made it mandatory for its citizens to wear face masks while out in public.
Argentina made face masks obligatory for everyone using public transport and out in publicon April 14.
On April 16, the Ministry of Health in Poland made covering the face with either a mask or homemade piece of fabric such as a scarf mandatory. This applies to green areas such as parks and beaches as well as public places such as roads, squares, religious facilities, commercial facilities, and marketplaces.
On April 20, Luxembourg made the use of face masks mandatory in public places where it is not possible to keep enough distance between one person and the other, such as public transport and supermarkets.
On April 21, Jamaica imposed a series of new coronavirus restrictions such as a revised curfew and also made it mandatory for citizens to wear a face mask in public spaces.
On April 22, Germany became the latest European country to make the wearing of face masks compulsory when on public transport and while shopping in all of its 16 states.
On the same day, Bahrain made wearing face masks in public areas compulsory for citizens and residents as well as shop workers.
On April 26, Qatar made the use of face masks mandatory for government and private sector employees and clients, shoppers at food and catering stores and workers in the contracting sector.
On May 3, Honduras made face masks obligatory for people going outside their homes.
On May 5, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda said every person who leaves their home must wear a cloth face mask to stop the spread the COVID-19.
WhereasWhereas in other countries like China wearing face masks has been a tradition before the pandemic. Citizens in Chinese provinces have been seen wearing masks in city streets and in other public places.
