GENEVA — The World Health Organization on June 5 changed its guidance on wearing masks to curb the transmission of the COVID-19 disease, recommending governments encourage everyone to wear masks in public places.

The WHO said evidence from studies in recent weeks showed masks could serve as "a barrier for potentially infectious droplets."

The organization had previously said there was not enough evidence to say that healthy people should wear masks.

The WHO now recommends wearing masks in public settings such as stores, at work, social or mass gatherings, and in closed settings such as schools or places of worship.

The global body also recommends wearing masks in cramped conditions such as slums and refugee camps, and on public transport.

To prevent critical resources from being diverted from healthcare workers, the WHO recommends that members of the general public wear fabric or "non-medical" masks.

These masks should have at least three layers — an absorbent inner layer, a filter, and an outer layer that does not easily absorb water.