The Japanese government has issued a fresh recommendation on the use of face masks. It says people need not wear a face mask when out of doors even if there is not a great distance between themselves and others. The advice is based on the assumption that little to no conversation is taking place.

Health minister Goto Shigeyuki said on Friday the government's stance on the need for a face mask to prevent coronavirus infection remains fundamentally unchanged.

Goto said people do not need to wear a mask when speaking with others outdoors if there is a distance of at least two meters between the speakers. In the case of indoor conversation, a mask is recommended whatever the distance.

He went on to say that an indoor space with excellent ventilation might allow for maskless conversation at a distance of two meters or more.

For children between the age of two and elementary-school age, the government is reinstating its earlier policy of not having a blanket expectation that a mask should be worn. There is no such expectation for infants.

The government continues to call on people to be sure to wear a mask when visiting elderly people or anyone in hospital.