The health body had previously said there was no evidence face masks worked but now agrees they are better than nothing.
Mr Tedros said the widespread use of face masks is still not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence.
However, he said a growing amount of observational evidence from several countries who are recommending the use of face masks, plus the difficulty of social distancing in many settings, is enough for WHO to change its advice.He emphasised that masks on their own will not protect people from getting COVID-19 and hand washing, social distancing and other measures are still important.
The director-general added that health workers in areas with widespread transmission should now wear medical masks in all areas of health facilities, not just where confirmed COVID-19 patients are. Doctors working in cardiology or others wards, for example, should continue to wear a medical mask even if there are no known coronavirus patients, he said.
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