However, health experts warn the masks are not as effective as they might seem at preventing disease.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr David Carrington, a clinical virology specialist at St George’s, University of London, said the traditional surgical mask is too loose cand omes without an air filter to comprehensively protect against disease.
He also added the eyes, another avenue for infections to enter the body, are left uncovered.
The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US recommends health workers use a specially adapted mask known as the N95 respirator, proven to filter out 95 percent of particles.