Sophie Turner says she wore a mask while giving birth in message directed at anti-maskers

Sophie Turner has shut down those who object to wearing face masks in public places amid the coronavirus pandemic with an Instagram public service announcement.

On Wednesday, the Game of Thrones star, who gave birth to her and husband Joe Jonas’s first child in July, addressed her more than 15.2m followers on her Instagram Stories, where she said: “If I can wear a mask while I give birth, you can wear a mask at Walmart.”

“And that’s the tea,” Turner added, using what has come to be known as her signature social media catchphrase.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals should “wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people”.

For women who have given birth in a hospital amid the pandemic, precautions from the virus have often meant that they and hospital staff are required to wear a mask – while other new mothers have found themselves giving birth alone due to restrictions that barred partners and family from hospital rooms.

This is not the first time that Turner has publicly urged her fans to wear masks. In August, Jonas shared a mock Vogue cover of the couple lounging on their couch with the title: “August Issue 2020. Wear a mask. That’s the tea.”

The reminder came after the 24-year-old encouraged her Instagram followers to “stay inside” during an Instagram Live in March.

"Stay inside. Don't be f***ing stupid," she said at the time. "Even if you count your freedom over your health. I don't give a f*** about your freedom.

“You could be infecting other people – other vulnerable people – around you by doing this. So stay inside, guys!"

The couple, who married in May 2019, never confirmed Turner was pregnant. However, the actress has since shared throwback photos from her pregnancy following the birth of their daughter, who is reportedly named Willa.