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Kemi Badenoch has criticised NHS calls for a return to wearing face masks, saying she was “still slightly traumatised” by her experiences during Covid. The Tory leader called for “common sense” and warned there must be no return to compulsory face coverings.

She spoke out after Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, called on people experiencing flu or cold symptoms to wear a mask in public places. He warned that the UK faces a “tidal wave” of illness because of a “very nasty strain of flu” that has occurred earlier in the year than normal. He said people should “get back into the habit” of wearing face masks if they felt ill.

Mr Elkeles was backed by the Prime Minister after Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said masks were not compulsory but “simply something people can consider”.

However, Mrs Badenoch said there was little point in telling people to wear a face mask once they had symptoms, because they could have been infected with flu – and passed it on to others – before they started feeling ill.

Once people do become ill, they should stay at home rather than going on public transport, she said.

Speaking to Sky News, Mrs Badenoch said: “I’m still slightly traumatised by all the mask-wearing that we had to do during Covid.

“Let’s bring some common sense into this. I personally think that face coverings can be a barrier to social interaction, social cohesion, and I do worry about a mask mandate.

“I don’t think the Government should be mandating anything. Let’s have some common sense. I think people can make up their own minds.

“If you are really sick, it should be in bed. It should not be on public transport. I think that’s more of a problem. But the truth is, many people are contagious before they realise that they’re even ill. So I’m not sure that it would work.

“I think it’s a surprising announcement. I’m not quite sure why they’ve done that.”

The number of people in hospital with flu in England is at a record level for this time of year.

An average of 1,717 flu patients were in beds in England each day, including 69 in critical care, most recent data showed. New NHS data on flu will be released on Thursday.

Meanwhile, some schools have been forced to close temporarily due to high levels of illness.

St Martin’s School in Caerphilly also closed last week after more than 250 pupils and members of staff fell ill, it was reported.

UK Health Security Agency figures suggest this year’s vaccine is providing good protection against flu even though a drifted influenza A(H3N2) strain – dubbed super flu – is currently dominating cases in England.

Mr Elkeles told Times Radio: “Children are still at school, it’s warm and wet, so it’s perfect flu-spreading conditions.

“When you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else.

“And we were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.”

Asked if he meant people who have “got a cold, they’re snuffling, they are coughing” should wear a mask in the office, Mr Elkeles said: “I think that would be very sensible to all their colleagues, or probably their colleagues would say ‘please go home’.

“But we have really got to worry about the fact that this is a very nasty strain of flu. It spreads very easily. It’s warm and wet out there and people need to be sensible.”

Mr Elkeles said the peak of this flu season could be worse than previous winters, adding: “We really do need people to sit up and listen.

“And actually, we need to have a big debate probably after this flu season about how we prepare the public better for what happens every year.

“So if you haven’t already had your flu vaccine and you’re eligible, please go and take it.”