More of us are wearing face masks in an attempt to prevent coronavirus infection when we go out and about – but new research shows they can provide a cosy home for the disease for up to a week.
Malik Peiris, a public health and clinical virologist who compiled the research for the University of Hong Kong, said the result highlights the importance of wearers not touching the outside of the mask.
He said that touching an infected mask would see the person’s hands contaminated and “if you touch your eyes you could be transferring the virus to your eyes”.
The virus was still present on plastic and stainless steel for between four and seven days, while it had disappeared from banknotes and glass by the fourth day.