The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) have expressed concern over the decision taken by the Ministry of Health to not make face masks mandatory. This was expressed via a media release by the AMS today (10). "Strangely this announcement has not specified whether it is necessary to wear face masks in hospital settings for both healthcare workers as well as for general public. It is no secret that at this moment Sri Lanka is having a severe shortage of medicines and other health care related materials due to unprecedented economic crisis. It's common knowledge that respiratory infections and other infections transmitted through this route are amongst the most common and important reasons where people have to seek healthcare in our country. Every additional case of respiratory infections and it's treatment will add to the current economic burden as a result of inability to attend to usual work and accompanying economical cost," the statement read, adding that the announcement against mask wearing seemed inappropriate and immature. The AMS statement further urged the general public to not change their current healthy practices and to continue wearing face masks especially in an indoor setting. "We also urge healthcare workers to maintain the practice of wearing masks in all healthcare institutions and avoid vulnerable populations like the elderly and immunocompromised getting sick with unwanted respiratory infections. It is important to realise that wearing a mask is such a small measure which has shown tremendous health benefits both in our country and the rest of the world," the statement concluded.