Austria makes masks mandatory in supermarkets

Austria will make the wearing of face masks in supermarkets mandatory from April 6 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

As of Wednesday, masks are being handed out by supermarket employees and are free of charge for the time being.

Due to a shortage of masks the new rule only comes into effect on April 6.

Until then people only have to wear masks if a supermarket can offer them – covering the face with a shawl is also accepted for the time being.

Another exception are supermarkets smaller than 400 square meters – here keeping a distance of one meter to the next person is enough.

Michael Sellner, a dentist working in Vienna's first district, says he supports the new rules, but others were less welcoming of them.

Vera Vertis, a local Viennese living in close proximity to the supermarket, said the masks will just delay the problem or "make people hysterical."

Given the low supplies of masks, not every supermarket in Austria was able to offer masks to its customers.

On Monday, WHO executive director Michael Ryan had said there was "no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit — in fact, there's some evidence to suggest the opposite."

Ryan didn't elaborate beyond citing "risks" linked to fitting masks improperly, though he appeared to be alluding to how hands can carry virus up to or near the face as the masks are put on.