Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether family members caring at home for people (a) with covid-19 and (b) in self-isolation to protect others from covid-19 should wear face masks.

Public Health England have published guidance for patients in self-isolation at home and family members who share their accommodation at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-self-isolation-for-patients-undergoing-testing/advice-sheet-for-people-who-live-in-the-same-accommodation-as-the-patient

Face masks are not normally recommended as they do not provide protection from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19. They are only recommended to be worn by infected persons when advised by a healthcare worker in order to reduce the risk of transmitting infection to others.

However, if for any reason the patient is unable to wear a face mask, then family members sharing their accommodation may do so, if advised, whilst in the same room as the patient.