Noel Gallagher is refusing to wear a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic because it is a violation of his liberty, he has told a popular podcast.
The Oasis guitarist told the Matt Morgan podcast for Radio X that masks are “pointless” and that he chooses not to wear one.
He said: “It’s not a law. There’s too many f**king liberties being taken away from us now… I choose not to wear one. If I get the virus it’s on me, it’s not on anyone else… it’s a piss-take. There’s no need for it… They’re pointless.”
Despite calls to wear a mask while on trains or in shops to help curb the spread of the virus, Gallagher said he refuses as it makes no sense.
He said: “I was going up to Manchester the other week and some guy’s going, ‘Can you put your mask on,’ on the train, ‘because the transport police will get on and fine you a thousand pounds.
“But you don’t have to put it on if you’re eating.’ So I was saying: 'Oh right, this killer virus that’s sweeping through the train is gonna come and attack me, but see me having a sandwich and go, leave him, he’s having his lunch?'
“Why do you have to wear one when you’re having a f**king haircut, but you don’t have to wear one in the pub?” he added. He referred to Morgan, who argued in favour of mask wearing, as a “cowardly germophobe”.
The law currently states that masks should be worn on public transport, shops and other public spaces where social distancing is difficult.
Gallagher’s latest comments have sparked a backlash on social media.
Irish X Factor duo Jedward, who have previously encouraged fans to respect coronavirus safety rules, tweeted a parody of the famous Oasis song Wonderwall.
They wrote: “Today is gonna be the day @NoelGallagher That we're gonna throw it back to you by now you should've somehow Realised what you gotta do and Wear a mask because we’re gonna be the ones that save you and after all we’re your Wonderwall”.
