Backlash mounts over NHS calls for Britons to wear face masks in public as 'super flu' sweeps nation

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, urged people to cover their faces as a “very nasty strain of flu” was spreading earlier in the year than normal, leading to a “tidal wave” of cases.

“We were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now,” he told Times Radio.

“When you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else."

“We really do need people to sit up and listen. We need to have a big debate probably after this flu season about how we prepare the public better for what happens every year,” the health chief added.

The UK Health Security Agency also said last week that “masks continue to be a useful tool in limiting the spread of respiratory viruses in some situations”.

A Downing Street spokesman said that wearing masks was “something people can consider when trying to limit the spread of winter respiratory illnesses.”

While No10 clarified the advice was not an instruction, resistance to the guidance is quickly growing.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch admitted she was “still slightly traumatised by all the mask wearing that we had to do during Covid”.

The Leader of the Opposition outlined her opposition to the NHS chief’s advice, calling for “common sense” on the issue.

She told Sky News: “I personally think that face coverings can be a barrier to social interaction, social cohesion and I do worry about a mask mandate. I don’t think the Government should be mandating anything.

“Let’s have some common sense. I think people can make up their own minds. If you are really sick, it should be in bed. It should not be on public transport. I think that’s more of a problem.

“But the truth is, many people are contagious before they realise that they’re even ill. So I’m not sure that it would work."

Former Leader of the House of Commons and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg concurred while hosting his GB News show.

He claimed masks gave “the impression of action whilst not making a great difference”.

The Tory grandee said: “The reduction in COVID spread was much more to do with individuals staying at home symptomatic and using common sense to decide whether to attend or even hold a social event. It wasn't masks.

“With the cloth masks, it may actually give people a full sense of confidence thinking that they're not going to spread the disease and actually increase risks as they sit closer to each other.

“Every winter the NHS faces a flu outbreak. It's part of the nation's life and while the NHS should take care of those who need it, it's the responsibility of individuals to protect their health to the best of their ability."

The former MP for North East Somerset slammed the advice as “absolutely reminiscent of the narrative pushed by the Blob to justify locking people in their homes and wearing masks”.

Microbiologist Paul Hunter, Medicine at the University of East Anglia, also raised concerns with elements of Mr Elkeles’s advice.

Professor Hunter co-authored several reports on lockdowns and the efficacy of masks in Britain’s response.

“There is no reasonable doubt that wearing facemasks can reduce the risk of acquiring a respiratory infection. But protection is far from 100% and probably varies depending on the stage of an epidemic,” he told the People's Channel.

The expert explained once the Omicron variant of Covid began to spread, masks had “had very little if any benefit”.

“I do not think wearing masks when outdoors has any value,” he added.

“I would not advocate for everyone to universal mask wearing at present. I would discourage mask wearing in children except for those with severe underlying health conditions."

To that end, Professor Hunter said masks were a “good idea” for those with underlying health issues like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

“If you are working with vulnerable people who themselves are at high risk, I would advocate for mask wearing,” he added.

The latest figures from NHS England have shown that an average of 1,717 flu patients were in hospital beds each day last week, a record for this time of year and more than 50 per cent higher than in 2024.

In London specifically, “hospitalisations have tripled compared with the same time last year” with an average of 259 flu patients in hospital per day last week.

Some schools have also introduced Covid-like restrictions, with one primary school in Leeds cutting back on singing in assemblies, while another in Caerphilly had to close temporarily.

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