A new information campaign has been launched today.
Image via Pexels.comThe government says it hasn't ruled out making face masks mandatory, but enforcing it would be difficult.
A new information campaign has been launched today encouraging people to cover their faces in situations where social distancing is difficult.
From today, radio ads are being rolled out advising people how, where and when to wear face masks. These will then be followed by TV and outdoor ads.
The government is encouraging people to wear coverings where social distancing is difficult such as on public transport or in shops.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said today they haven't ruled out making it mandatory:
"We have given consideration to making it mandatory. We don't rule that out but there are real difficulties with that", he explained.
"Some people have phobias, for example. Some people have breathing difficulties. There's lots of different reasons as to why you wouldn't make it mandatory".
Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris reiterated that people need to make face masks a habit, in the same way as we embraced coughing into our elbows and handwashing.
Recent studies have indicated that face masks are highly effective in stopping the spread of Covid-19 from person to person.
