UK prime minister, Boris Johnson says wearing of face masks will be part of UK lockdown exit strategy

Boris Johnson has announced the wearing of face masks as part of the UK’s Coronavirus lockdown exit strategy. 

The announcement comes after the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) met on Tuesday to decide on the face-covering move to help stop the coronavirus spread, amid fears that social distancing will roll into 2021, as chances of a vaccine within a year are slim.

Speaking at the daily Downing Street coronavirus press conference on Thursday, the prime minister, said: ‘I think what SAGE is saying and what I certainly agree with is that as part of coming out of the lockdown I do think that face coverings will be useful both for epidemiological reasons but also for giving people confidence they can go back to work. 

‘You are going to be hearing more about that and that kind of thing next week.

According to the Prime Minister, wearing of face coverings in public will be ‘useful’ in terms of stopping the spread of the disease when restrictions are lifted. 

He also said they would give workers ‘confidence that it is safe for them to venture out, use public transport, and go back to their jobs.’ 

Mr. Johnson who recently recovered from Coronavirus promised to set out a ‘comprehensive plan’ within the next seven days telling the nation how lockdown will be eased. 

There are more than 171,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK and more than 26,700 people with the virus have died.