Masks outside not always needed when not chatting: Japan gov't panel

Wearing masks when outdoors is not always necessary even if sufficient social distancing cannot be maintained, with the caveat that people are not conversing, a Japanese government panel of experts on COVID-19 measures said Thursday.Based on the panel's view, the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce its policy Friday, an official said.The panel, headed by Japan's top coronavirus adviser Shigeru Omi, also expressed the view that elementary school students do not need to wear masks when outdoors during physical education classes or recess as long as distancing is maintaine…READ FULL ARTICLE