Face masks? No thanks!

Many of us are still not wearing face coverings when out of the home

By DEBORA ARU

LESS than two thirds of Britons are wearing face masks to protect themselves and others against the spread of Covid-19.

A survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that just 62% of people in Britain had used a face covering in the past seven days.

However, the figure has been rising, and the proportion is the highest seen since the week ending May 31, which is when the ONS started collecting data on face coverings.

At that time, less than a third of people said they had worn a face mask in the past week (28%).

More than one in five people (21%) surveyed also said that they’re unlikely to wear a face covering in the next seven days - although that was down from 24% recorded in the previous week.

The figures show that older people are more likely to wear masks than younger people.

Three in every four people aged 70 or older have worn a face covering when outside, or 75%, compared to 59% of people aged 16 to 69.

Two-thirds of women had used face masks in the previous seven days (66%), while just over half of men had (56%).

For those that had worn a face covering, the most common situation was while shopping (61%), followed by while at work (21%) and visiting a health or medical centre (20%).

Face coverings became mandatory while using public transport from June 15 in England, and from June 22 in Scotland.

On Monday, Wales’ First Minister announced that face masks will be compulsory on public transport starting from July 27.

Of those adults who had used public transport in the past seven days, 83% had worn a face covering while doing so.

According to government guidelines, face coverings should also be worn whenever people are “in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.”

This is just guidance, however currently, masks are not mandatory apart from on public transport in England and Scotland, and in shops in Scotland.

Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets is also to become mandatory in England from July 24.