It comes nearly two years since the first case of Covid-19 was found in the UK.
Covid-19 has finally been classified as “airborne” in the latest national Infection Prevention and Control guidance.
New guidance published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and its regional counterparts finally recognises the “undeniable evidence” that Covid-19 spreads through the air.
The latest Infection prevention and control guidance for the UK now recommends the use of FFP2 or FFP3 masks for all staffing caring for confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients within the infective period of the virus.
It comes nearly two years since the first case of Covid-19 was found in the UK.
Health unions have been calling for the recognition that Covid-19 is airborne since March 2020 and have regally been calling for the routine use of FFP2 or FFP3 masks by staff instead of basic surgical masks.
Long overdue.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has said it welcomes the new long overdue guidance and now wants employers to ensure all staff are fit tested.
Professor Raymond Agius, BMA occupational medicine co- chair, said: “Almost two years into the pandemic, and after tireless campaigning by the BMA, it is good to see that the Infection Prevention and Control guidance relating to Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) has been changed to reflect undeniable evidence that Covid-19 spreads through the air.
“For doctors and other healthcare staff working in hospitals, having access to safe RPE – such as FFP3 respirators – when they are caring for patients with confirmed or suspected Covid, offers them a level of protection that they should have had for nearly two years.
“We therefore call on hospital Trusts to ensure RPE is available and respirators are fit-tested as quickly as possible.
