Gove says telling people to wear masks could make them cavalier

Michael Gove said the UK Government was anxious people would act in a “cavalier” way if told to wear masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

It comes after Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recommended people wear face coverings in places where staying two metres apart from others was difficult, such as when using public transport and visiting shops.

But the rest of the UK is continuing to follow advice that covering their face is not required, with chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance previously declaring that the evidence relating to masks helping prevent transmission was “quite weak”.

Cabinet Office minister Mr Gove told the Commons’ public administration and constitutional affairs committee: “The scientific evidence so far says face coverings can have an effect in preventing an individual from spreading the disease to others if they have it and are asymptomatic.

“But there is also a worry that some people may think that wearing a mask protects themselves, as distinct to protecting others, and therefore they may behave in a manner that is slightly more cavalier.

He confirmed the Cabinet was continuing to keep the current advice “under review”.

During the two-hour session, Mr Gove also:

Gave the nod for lockdown easing to take place on some island communities in the UK as a way of piloting how it could happen in the rest of the country;

Confirmed Cabinet Office staff working on preparing the UK for exiting the transition period with the European Union had been seconded to assist with the Covid-19 response;

Admitted ministers held secret data on how well social distancing was being followed by the public;

Defended the UK currently having one of the world’s worst death rates, saying the country had more “social mixing” than others.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove.