Paramedics warn common face covering mistake could 'expose you to coronavirus'

Last week it became mandatory in England to wear face coverings in all shops and supermarkets, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Those who refuse to wear one could be faced with a fine of up to £100.

According to the government, face coverings are "largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection".

It's therefore very important that we make sure we're wearing our face coverings correctly.

Since the new rules came into play, many people have been spotted out and about wearing their face coverings under their chin, something paramedics have warned against doing, reports Liverpool Echo.

Make sure you're wearing your face covering over your nose and mouth (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

The East Midlands Ambulance Service recently shared a graphic on Facebook and Instagram urging people not to wear face coverings under their chin.

They wrote: "This graphic helps to explain the importance of not pulling your mask down to your chin.

"Make sure you either have it on or off - never around your chin or neck."

Alongside this they shared three images of a man.

The first image shows the man wearing a face covering correctly. It features an arrow pointing to the man's neck, proclaiming it to be an area which could be 'exposed' to Covid-19.

The second picture shows the man pulling his face covering down under his chin onto his neck, where it is then 'contaminated'.

In the final image, the man puts his face covering back over his nose and mouth. The caption points out that he is now at risk of being infected by "bacteria, virus or germs".

The bottom of the graphic instructs people not to put their face covering around their chin or neck, but to remove it "completely" if they plan to eat food, drink or participate in any activity where they need it off.

The East Midland's Ambulance Service post went viral, garnering more than 1,000 comments and being shared over 44,000 times.

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