US PRESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden is calling on all Americans to wear face masks for the duration of his first 100 days in office as part of a concerted effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The Irish-American Democrat has been a strong advocate of mask-wearing during the pandemic, previously describing it was a “patriotic duty”.
Biden is also set to make it a requirement that all masks be worn in US government buildings.
The President-elect told CNN’s Jake Tapper: "On the first day I'm inaugurated, I'm going to ask the public for 100 days to mask.
"Just 100 days to mask - not forever, just 100 days.
"And I think we'll see a significant reduction in the virus."
Biden’s plans stand in stark contrast to President Donald Trump, who had appeared sceptical of mask-wearing during several interviews on the subject.
Trump has also held several events in and around government buildings with little to no mask wearing or social distancing in place.
And while Trump had bristled against advice from medical experts, Biden appears eager to make figures like Dr Anthony Fauci a key part of his administration's efforts to tackle the virus.
He told CNN he has already asked Dr Fauci to remain "in the exact same role he's had for the past several presidents", as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Biden has also asked Dr Fauci to serve as a "chief medical adviser" in his COVID-19 advisory team.
The president-elect appears eager to quell any concerns over taking any of the incoming vaccines and dispel the misinformation being spread on social media.
As such he told Tapper he would be “happy” to get inoculated publicly to ease these worries.
"People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work," Biden said. "it matters what a president and the vice president do".
His remarks come after three former presidents - Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton – all said they would happily be vaccinated in public to demonstrate it is safe.
