Scientist: Face masks should continue forever

Face masks and social distancing measures should continue ‘‘forever’’, a senior scientist on the Sage committee that advises the British Government has said. Professor Susan Michie yesterday suggested the measures introduced to tackle the coronavirus pandemic should be retained to help suppress other viruses and boost public health. The University College London academic said that alongside vaccines, NHS test and trace, and border controls, ‘‘people’s behaviour’’ was a key factor towards controlling the pandemic.