The World Health Organization has advised people to wear face masks in public to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

WHO has changed its advice on face masks. It said that the new data showed the masks could be “a barrier for potentially infectious droplets”.

Globally, there are 6,851,340 confirmed cases of coronavirus out of which 398,256 have died whereas 3,351,323 have recovered. The number of active cases is 3,101,761.

The WHO had previously suggested that wearing face masks in public is not necessary for healthy people.

The WHO’s technical lead expert on Covid-19 Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said to the international news agency that the advice was for people to wear a “fabric mask – that is, a non-medical mask” at places having a risk of transmission of the virus.

Dr. Van Kerkhove said, “We are advising governments to encourage that the general public wear a mask,”

However, the WHO also urged that face masks were just one tool to avoid transmission, people should not consider it for a false sense of protection.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Masks on their own will not protect you from Covid-19,”

In the UK, the government has announced on Friday that wearing face masks is mandatory for hospital visitors and staff.

Portugal is all set to start reopening its beaches on Saturday.

Vienna Philharmonic, one of the most renowned orchestras, gave its first live performance in Austria.

Poland has decided to reopen gyms, swimming pools, and amusement parks.

Cable cars and mountain railways will be restarted in Switzerland.

The EU commissioner for home affairs said internal borders should be reopened by the end of June in member states.