SHOPPERS have been urged to embrace face coverings and make them part of a daily routine to continue the fight against Covid-19.

Southend Council has issued advice on the best face masks and how they can prevent viruses spreading in public.

The guidance says that good face masks cover the nose and mouth, fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face, be secured to the head with ties or ear loops, and include at least two layers of fabric, ideally three.

Unless disposable, masks should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged.

Krishna Ramkhelawon, Southend Council’s director of public health said: “Each and every one of us has a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus. This latest guidance on face coverings should ensure that community-related transmission of the virus is further reduced.

“Covid-19 is spread by droplets from coughs, sneezes and through speaking, shouting or singing. These droplets can also be picked up from surfaces, particularly if you touch a surface and then touch your face.

“Because face coverings are mainly intended to protect others from Covid-19 they are not a replacement for social distancing and regular hand washing which remain as important as ever.

“However, if everyone wears a face covering in the settings identified, everyone is more protected, including yourself, and we can continue to reduce transmission rates.

“If you are not exempt, please remember to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets from today and continue to stay safe.”

Andrew Scholey, Operations and Development Director for Adventure Leisure, that runs Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Basildon, said the return of his business had gone well, and expected more people to wear masks when visiting in the future.

He said: “It’s gone really well, we have got the social distancing down to a fine art, and staff are happy to be back from furlough.

“To start to hear children laughing and having fun it was a breath of fresh air.

“We are still awaiting the guidance on it but as it stands they are not. We are going to look at it and see how it goes from a retail perspective.

“My feeling is I think people will start to wear masks. We are not going to monitor it but it’s one of those things we will keep under constant review, and we will play our part.

“As and when they become mandatory that’s when they will start to wear them.”

Paulo Morais, owner of Chris’ Fish, Chicken & Ribs, Bridgwater Drive, Westcliff, said the policy has come in too late.

He said: “It should have been done a long time ago, it won’t make a difference now.

“They are doing what’s best for people, I just don’t think it’s going to work. I don’t think people will get into the system of every time you go somewhere, you need to wear a mask.”

While many readers told the Echo they would wear masks, some agreed it was brought in too late.

Matthew Johns said: “I’ll wear one but think the timing is ridiculous. All the countries that did relatively well instituted this at the beginning like Germany and South Korea.

“It feels like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.”