CDC advises wearing cloth masks to protect against COVID-19, says Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that Americans wear cloth face covering to protect against COVID-19.

"The CDC is advising the use of non-medical cloth face covering as a voluntary health measure," Trump told a White House briefing. "It is voluntary. They suggested for a period of time."

The CDC advises that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Trump said the CDC is not recommending the use of medical grade or surgical grade masks, noting those supplies such as the N95 respirators need to be saved for medical professionals.

He stressed that Americans should still follow the administration's social distancing guidelines.

(CGTN)