Medics urge Johnson to make masks mandatory in healthcare even after July 19

HEALTHCARE organisations across England have urged prime minister Boris Johnson to make face masks mandatory in healthcare settings, including pharmacy and dentist. The country is set to end all the restrictions on Monday (19) amid rising cases.

From July 19, masks will no longer be mandatory, including places like visiting a pharmacy, dentist, hospital, shop or other establishment in England, as per government guidelines.

In a written letter signed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the British Medical Association, British Dental Association, Royal College of Nursing and the College of Optometrists, the medical experts have urged Johnson to make face masks mandatory along with social distancing and regular handwashing in all healthcare settings even after July 19. 

Medics have also called for the use of appropriate respiratory protection for staff in health and care settings to continue, alongside improvements in ventilation wherever possible, Royal Pharmaceutical Society said. 

Thorrun Govind, Chair of RPS in England, said: “Using masks in healthcare environments means staff and the public are taking steps to protect each other from Covid-19. It should, therefore, remain mandatory that they are worn past July 19.”

“Despite some pharmacies being in retail environments, they remain a healthcare setting and have been relied upon to support and protect the public over the past 18 months.”

“We are therefore calling on the Government to make a decision to support and protect pharmacists and healthcare professionals, as well as the public.”

Claiming that “scrapping the remaining restrictions next week – when a significant proportion of the population still has not been fully vaccinated – will give this deadly virus an opportunity to retighten its grip” Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Chair of BMA Council, pointed out how the government is sending mixed messaging over the use of face masks.

“This is contradictory and shows the government absolving itself of responsibility while heaping pressure on the public, confused by mixed messaging of the highest order. Ministers must now reassess the decision to lift the remaining restrictions on July 19. Until then, we urge the public to continue taking every precaution by wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing, and meeting outside where possible,” Dr Nagpaul said.

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: “No health professional should be left struggling to manage patient expectations come Monday.

“After all the mixed messages we need government to be crystal clear that face coverings will remain in place to protect the public and staff.”