A new survey found that those who remove their face masks before eating or drinking are four times more likely to contract a new coronavirus than those who keep them on except when eating or drinking.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan conducted the research amid rising concerns that new virus cases could resurge if more people dined with others after the government lifted its COVID-19 state of emergency last month.

According to NIID Director Motoi Suzuki, people should “avoid high-risk activities and only eat and drink with family or small groups.”

The poll, which was released last week, included 753 persons who visited five medical institutions in Tokyo with outpatient fever facilities between June and July. They were questioned about their activities in the two weeks preceding the onset of their symptoms. None of the patients had received COVID-19 vaccines, and 257 of them tested positive for the virus, or 34.1 percent.

According to the investigation, the infection risk for those who wore their masks except when eating or drinking with other people was nearly identical to that of those who did not have such opportunities. However, the risk was 3.92 times greater for individuals who removed their face masks immediately upon seating or who did not use masks at all during dining occasions.

The risk was 1.87 times greater for those who spent two hours or more in restaurants or pubs. Drinking alcoholic beverages increased the infection risk by 2.18 times.

The risk of infection was 1.5 times greater for those dining in groups of five or more than for those dining in groups of up to four.

Individuals who dined alone did not experience an increase in infection risk.

Takaji Wakita, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, has recommended people dining with others to keep such gatherings small, limit them to two hours, and wear masks to avoid infection.

Image Credit: Getty

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