Study: Wearing masks makes people more willing to take social distancing risks

Wearing face masks may cause people to flout social distancing advice because they feel more comfortable sitting or standing close to others, a study suggests.

Mask-wearers are also more likely to keep a smaller distance from others wearing face coverings, according to a team of behavioural scientists at Warwick Business School.

The research further suggests that those who believe face masks are effective at preventing the spread of coronavirus are more likely to relax the distance if they or the other person is wearing a mask.