The World Health Organization on Friday updated its mask guidance as the highly contagious omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 spreads. The World Health Organization on Friday recommended that everyone wear masks in crowded spaces “irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the current spread of the COVID-19 globally.”

“Masks are recommended following a recent exposure to COVID-19, when someone has or suspects they have COVID-19, when someone is at high-risk of severe COVID-19, and for anyone in a crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated space,” the organization said in a press release. “Previously, WHO recommendations were based on the epidemiological situation.”

The update comes as the highly contagious omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 has been found in 38 countries and China is experiencing a COVID-19 surge that is underreported. While global COVID-19 cases and deaths decreased last week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing on Wednesday that last week’s death toll is “almost certainly an underestimate given the underreporting of COVID-related deaths in China.” Meanwhile, WHO said in a report this week that XBB. 1.5 is threatening to drive a global increase in coronavirus cases.

“Based on its genetic characteristics and early growth rate estimates, XBB. 1.5 may contribute to increases in case incidence globally,” the organization said in its assessment. But it noted that growth advantage estimates are only from the U.S., so it rated its confidence in the assessment as”low.” Earlier this week, WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said that travelers should be advised to wear masks in high-risk settings like long-haul flights given the spread of XBB. 1.5. “This should be a recommendation issued to passengers arriving from anywhere where there is widespread COVID-19 transmission, Smallwood said.