Face masks should not be a replacement for physical distancing measures – study

The scientists used a web-based survey to gather data on face-covering habits from more than 300,000 people (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Face coverings can help control Covid-19 transmission in the community but they should not be a replacement for other coronavirus measures such as social distancing, scientists have said.

In a new modelling study, researchers in the US have found a 10% rise in self-reported mask wearing to be associated with a three-fold increase in the odds of keeping the reproduction number R below 1.