New Delhi: As the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirms "emerging evidence" of airborne transmission of COVID-19, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Director-General Dr Shekhar Mande on Thursday said that wearing masks has never been more important.
"In my opinion, masks should be compulsory for everyone to wear, including in the rooms. If you are in the office it is important that the office is well ventilated. If you are in closed spaces, ventilate them, and if you are in open spaces, make sure you are wearing a mask always and maintain social distance," Dr Mande said.
As per a CNN report on Wednesday, WHO confirmed that there is an 'emerging evidence' of airborne transmission of the deadly virus, following a letter signed by 239 scientists, urging the agency to be more forthcoming about the likelihood that people can catch the virus from air droplets.
While explaining the difference between airborne and non-airborne, Dr Mande said that there is 'emerging evidence' in the world that when we speak, we emit aerosols - less than five microns in size. Since they are small, they remain suspended in the air.
Also read:ETV Bharat Impact: AIIMS suspends employee, health official over swapping of COVID-19 bodies