All hospital visitors and outpatients will have to wear face coverings
All hospital visitors and outpatients will have to wear face coverings from mid-June, says Matt Hancock.
It follows last night's announcement that all commuters will soon have to wear masks on public transport to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
The Health Secretary told Friday’s Downing Street daily briefing that the government wanted to ensure that as the virus "comes under control" that hospitals are a place of "care and of safety".
It comes as the number of people who have died after contracting coronavirus passed 40,000 with a rise of 357 deaths in 24 hours.
Mr Hancock said: "As the NHS reopens right across the country, it's critically important to stop the spread amongst staff, patients and visitors too.
"So today we're setting out that all hospital visitors and outpatients will need to wear face coverings.
"One of the things that we've learnt is that those in hospital, those who are working in hospital, are more likely to catch coronavirus whether they work in a clinical setting or not."
He said new guidance for NHS staff in England will come into force on June 15 with all hospital staff required to wear type one or two surgical masks.
The Secretary of State said it would apply at all times and "not just when they are doing life-saving work on the frontline".
It will also apply in all areas except for places designated as "Covid-secure workplaces".
He said the government has also strengthened infection control in care homes and they were working with the social care sector on how they can apply this in social care too.
The announcement follows a shock analysis which showed England's battle against Covid-19 appears to have suffered a major setback in recent days as transmission levels rise probably due to more travelling and mixing between households.
Mr Hancock revealed he had made a donation of blood plasma and encouraged those who have had the virus to follow suit so those currently infected can benefit from their antibodies.
"If you have had the virus, then you can help make a difference. Because by donating your plasma from your blood that has your antibodies in it, then you can help somebody who is currently suffering in hospital with coronavirus," he added.
"I did this earlier today, I gave my antibodies, and the process is simple, it's straightforward. If you have had coronavirus, if you go to the NHS blood and transplant website... then you too can donate your antibodies and help protect somebody who is currently in hospital with coronavirus.
"And I'd encourage anybody who can do that to step forward."
Today's announcement comes after the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hit out at the government , alleging that the delay in making face masks mandatory on public transport may have led to more people catching coronavirus.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hit back at Mr Khan's allegations saying he was “disagreeing with the scientists”.
