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A man wears a mask reading 'End the lockdown' outside the Palace of Westminster, to protest against the delay of the planned relaxation of lockdown measures, in London. AP Photo
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A woman wearing a face mask walks past a piece of street art depicting an NHS worker in London. The British government is hoping to end mask requirements on July 19, the earliest possible date under the current road map for easing lockdown restrictions. Getty Images
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A member of the public wearing a face mask passes a sign asking shoppers to face coverings inside the store, in Cumbria, north west England. AFP
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Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock wearing a Union Jack face mask walks towards the media briefing room in Downing Street. Getty Images
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People wearing face masks ride aboard a London Underground train. Reuters
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Racegoers are seen in protective masks at Royal Ascot. Reuters
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A Manchester United fan is seen wearing a face mask outside the stadium next to a sign saying "Please wear a face covering" prior to a Premier League in Manchester. Getty Images
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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, leaves 10 Downing Street in central London. AFP
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A MCC Member is seen wearing a protective mask inside Lord's Cricket Ground. Getty Images
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British tennis star Johanna Konta wears a face mask at the Viking Open at Nottingham Tennis Centre. PA
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One of the 100 life-size body cast statues of 'Another Place' at Crosby beach, Liverpool, created by the artist Sir Antony Gormley, is seen with a face mask. Getty Images
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A racegoer shows off a fashionable face mask at Royal Ascot. Getty Images
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A man wears a mask reading 'End the lockdown' outside the Palace of Westminster, to protest against the delay of the planned relaxation of lockdown measures, in London. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XPHP2TEGTP6MDL5Z6C5JDBCKYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=be44b93fb806ecb74576970f0d9a725ef16542ecba37eb54dd9264837fbbd988&width=400&height=225)
A woman wearing a face mask walks past a piece of street art depicting an NHS worker in London. The British government is hoping to end mask requirements on July 19, the earliest possible date under the current road map for easing lockdown restrictions. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2QDND6ZH3T7XXBOH6P5WXGZ2TU.jpg?smart=true&auth=05f40ae950129f11cf7ca7bbb24c70bdccdb59ca4dfd430e69dbca7c5461b44d&width=400&height=225)
A member of the public wearing a face mask passes a sign asking shoppers to face coverings inside the store, in Cumbria, north west England. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A33DTAYVDDH2D75ZEDZ3A5QTJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a832ec27e5e6e6c0c645c1bddd7bd8dc975818817abe14df0b66c98f9d853518&width=400&height=225)
Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock wearing a Union Jack face mask walks towards the media briefing room in Downing Street. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y2WDZ7HTCLWGUH2SGV6JVNCMC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=420b7d7010e80a2f187fec9af089d3af6ef7ac90def7b2ebe1ed025f80eb2ddb&width=400&height=225)
People wearing face masks ride aboard a London Underground train. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBTH4U3WKK426IEK67I5S7DCZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1613c12fac580c4de5753f0910e9eadbe5fcff071c8fe6a3dbfd60be1ce9587d&width=400&height=225)
Racegoers are seen in protective masks at Royal Ascot. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QDQJPBXFS4YSUEABJ2B3GTUNF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b789e05c28d76d52f932d5a6a2c782a05175785bf43dcaa6049cd6a3918fc559&width=400&height=225)
A Manchester United fan is seen wearing a face mask outside the stadium next to a sign saying "Please wear a face covering" prior to a Premier League in Manchester. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CHANRBG4UFVRMSUGBNZPW7L6TU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4ed676e66ef929ba67527cf6e4ee9c57458bf3e6777cf28a36b46a6c51bdf79e&width=400&height=225)
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, leaves 10 Downing Street in central London. AFP
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A MCC Member is seen wearing a protective mask inside Lord's Cricket Ground. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I3RM7YISPSFIZ4EBEEDKULUHJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=693dbfb4e5877c8277d359bbb3e316e23a8a11d6da495a7fd0d1296e0e723b17&width=400&height=225)
British tennis star Johanna Konta wears a face mask at the Viking Open at Nottingham Tennis Centre. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/INWHPX7SZGGUUXBV7GREH57NDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1749f120985e0397135947d8d1619ae7932e1ae057c56d92d65a9d51f9047acc&width=400&height=225)
One of the 100 life-size body cast statues of 'Another Place' at Crosby beach, Liverpool, created by the artist Sir Antony Gormley, is seen with a face mask. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SMBG5CHCPRWU72YJR6GRS5MNIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a48c3e806d3fdc26f90f417e4e607f2e78970fc1579c44b7eeaa8710590c8c79&width=400&height=225)
A racegoer shows off a fashionable face mask at Royal Ascot. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DQKCOXXT7UG2SPE7RUK3MHS4FM.jpg?smart=true&auth=19c075a8d31704c8f69d1b50e3cc0c919b3d800adbf1d7dbabf12f4165486556&width=400&height=225)
A man wears a mask reading 'End the lockdown' outside the Palace of Westminster, to protest against the delay of the planned relaxation of lockdown measures, in London. AP Photo
UAE researchers invent electric mask capable of 'zapping viruses'
Device has electrodes fitted to either side of the mask, which zap any viruses which enter the space
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
10 December, 2021
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