Face masks have become commonplace across the UK as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
They are now compulsory on public transport, hospitals, shops, cinemas, theatres, museums and places of worship.
Wearing a face covering can help stop the spread of coronavirus because they trap droplets created when people sneeze or cough so act as a barrier between people.
This is why the Government has made them mandatory as they are essential in places where social distancing isn’t possible.
If you fail to do so, you could be fined £100.
To wear the mask correctly you must make sure it fits comfortably and covers your nose and mouth.
However some people are failing to cover their nose and according to new research this could leave them more vulnerable to contracting the deadly virus.
Dr Todd Ellerin, a Massachusetts-based infectious disease specialist, told Good Morning America : "I think there’s multiple reasons why we’re seeing a lot of people’s nose exposed.
“One of the reasons maybe that it’s more comfortable when you’re wearing a mask for a longer period of time. It can be more difficult to breathe than when you have the nose exposed.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill looked at locations in the respiratory tract to see where coronavirus most likely infiltrates the body.
They found the cells that line the nose were significantly more likely to become infected and spread the virus than the throat or lungs.
The researchers said this means you could be more likely to contract Covid-19 through the nose because the virus infects cells with tiny hairs on them called cilia.
Cilia usually helps to protect the nose from bacteria and viruses.
This is why the nose should be covered along with the mouth.
Dr Ellerin called the study “important” and explained that the nasal passage has as many or even more receptors that the virus can use to enter the cell than the throat or in the lungs.
Stressing the importance of wearing a mask, he added: "The viruses use those receptors in the nose.
“Think of it as a molecular doorway to enter the cells and that’s the first phase of infection.”
Dr Richard Boucher, director of the Marsico Lung Institute/UNC Cystic Fibrosis Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, said: “The nose is basically the purveyor of all viral ill. The virus appeared to pick the nose as a fertile ground for infection.”
Dr Hilary Jones explained the correct way to wear a face mask on Good Morning Britain on Friday.
He gave a step by step guide on how to put on a mask properly and in a hygienic way.
The first step in Dr Hilary's tutorial is to make sure your hands are sterilised with either hand sanitiser or soap and water.
The mask should be put on your face using just the loops to attach it to yourself behind the ears.
It should cover both your nose and mouth.
Dr Hilary said: "I haven't touched the front of my mask because I don't want to contaminate it.
"I'm not going to drop my mask below the mouth at any time and I'm not going to put it under my chin to talk to people.
"The whole purpose of the mask is that you're stopping any droplets that emerge from your mouth when you're talking, sneezing, coughing, etc."
When you want to remove your mask you should again sanitise your hands and only touch the loops.
If it's disposable it should be chucked straight in the bin and if it's reusable wash it and use another while it's in the wash.
