Petition · past parliament
Encourage the wearing of masks by the public to reduce coronavirus transmission
Rejected
10 signatures
What the petition asks
The government should organise the production of sufficient cloth masks for the entire UK population, distribute them, and then encourage the wearing of masks in public places.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted largely through droplets, which can be created as people speak. Carriers may show no symptoms but still spread the virus. Even simple cloth facemasks can substantially inhibit the escape of droplets, and so reduce transmission of the virus from the mask-wearer.
Every country to successfully control COVID-19 to date has employed mass-masking. Many countries (US, France, Austria) have recently embraced masks in light of the pandemic. We should too.
Every country to successfully control COVID-19 to date has employed mass-masking. Many countries (US, France, Austria) have recently embraced masks in light of the pandemic. We should too.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
You may wish to sign some of these petitions:
Make it mandatory to wear a face mask in public during Covid-19 Pandemic: Make it mandatory to wear a face mask in public during Covid-19 Pandemic
Supply and mandate the use of face masks and gloves: Supply and mandate the use of face masks and gloves
Supply surgical masks to be used by the general public: Supply surgical masks to be used by the general public
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/192/the-governments-response-to-coronavirus/
Make it mandatory to wear a face mask in public during Covid-19 Pandemic: Make it mandatory to wear a face mask in public during Covid-19 Pandemic
Supply and mandate the use of face masks and gloves: Supply and mandate the use of face masks and gloves
Supply surgical masks to be used by the general public: Supply surgical masks to be used by the general public
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/192/the-governments-response-to-coronavirus/
Timeline
| 6 Apr 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 27 May 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
10
Status
Rejected
Rejected
27 May 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.