The move came as Italy said respiratory illness infection rates had hit a record there.
In the UK, the Department of Health has so far not announced any similar proposals.
But Covid infections have also risen sharply here since November, with an average of 3,631 patients in hospital with the virus during the Christmas week – a jump of 57% in a month.
Norovirus was up 61% from the same period last year and serious flu cases were spiralling upwards.
There were an average of 942 patients with flu in hospital each day in the week to December 24, including 48 in critical care.
The record level for Covid cases in the UK was set in April 2022, when 7.6% of the population was infected with the virus, said the Office for National Statistics.
While the latest rate remains around 5% – around one in 20 – the UK Health Security Agency called on all those eligible to get a Covid jab to do so, with infections set to reach their peak in the remaining winter months. A spokesman said: “Cases are expected to rise over the next few weeks following increased travel and socialising that occurred over the festive period.
“Those at greater risk of serious illness from flu and Covid-19 should get vaccinated to reduce their chances of needing medical care or hospitalisation.”
But as infections spread across the continent, so far only Spain has put forward the move for mandatory masks in hospitals and clinics. Last night, a UK government source said: “There are no plans to issue a universal mask mandate in all health settings.”
