Covid-19 mask rule ‘risky’ for intense exercise, says ‘puzzled’ Hong Kong sports medicine chief
- Government has reopened sports facilities as local infections fall, but told people to wear masks during exercise
- No proof that playing football will spread Covid-19, and wearing masks for sports such as tennis is ‘just unbelievable’, says president of sports science body
“If people are performing high-intensity team sports such as football and rugby with their masks on, they must stop if they feel uncomfortable or it will become very risky,” said Dr Patrick Yung Shu-hang, president of the Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science.
“I feel puzzled. If the government allows people to go back to the sporting arena, I don’t know why they have to ask people to wear masks.
“In fact, I have never seen any medical document saying people will get infected with Covid-19 because of playing football. I would love to discuss the subject with them if any expert agrees to. Also, playing non-contact sports such as tennis with the two separated players wearing surgical masks is just unbelievable.
“Of course, football players or other sports participants may get infected when gathering after sports, and that risk can be minimised through appropriate social distancing measures – not by asking them to wear masks during exercise.”