Plastic screens could worsen Covid risk in some situations, government told

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The group said in a report: “There is some epidemiological and mechanistic evidence that suggests that screens could increase risks of aerosol transmission due to blocking/changing airflow patterns or creating zones of poor air circulation behind screens. This effect will depend on the local airflow patterns.” Recommended Perspex screens unlikely to reduce transmission and may even increase risk It said it had “medium” confidence in this idea, adding: “Unless they are designed to work with the airflow, screens are unlikely to reduce exposure to virus in smaller aerosols as they can easily pass around a screen with the airflow in a short period of time.” But the experts said they had “high” confidence that screens and barriers benefited people who were close together. The Sage group said screens could also reduce surface contamination in some settings, although evidence was limited. “In some locations it is possible that screens or barriers could act as reminders to people to maintain social distance or help organisations manage the layout in their environments,” it said.