MASK LAWS TO REMAIN
IT WILL remain the law to wear masks in many public places in Wales until coronavirus is no longer a public health threat, according to the Welsh Government. Unlike in England, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that facemasks will no longer be the law in most indoor public public places, Welsh Government ministers have confirmed face coverings will continue to be law in Wales on public transport and taxis, and health and social care unless people are exempt.
The Welsh Government is currently preparing to publish an updated Coronavirus Control Plan which will set out what will happen beyond alert level one.
Before the publication of this plan, they have confirmed that face coverings will continue to be required in certain settings, such as public transport and taxis, and health and social care, as a minimum, while coronavirus remains a public health threat.
In a statement, the Welsh Government said that “active further consideration” is being given to whether face coverings should also be required in other settings, such as retail, if restrictions are relaxed further.
Wales is currently at alert level one – face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public places at alert level one and above.
Next week, ministers will hold the regular 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations, which will set out whether restrictions can be relaxed in some indoor places, including people’s homes.
They will also publish new plans setting out how Wales will move beyond alert level one to a new alert level zero, with fewer legal restrictions.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We will need everyone’s help to keep coronavirus under control as we continue to respond to the pandemic – this virus has quite certainly not gone away.
“We know many people are still worried and anxious about going out. We will maintain the requirement to wear face coverings in certain places – on public transport and health and social care settings, and others where necessary – to help keep us all safe.”
This announcements comes as two health boards issued warnings that they were under considerable pressure despite the widespread vaccine rollout.
Scientific evidence supports the use of face coverings, alongside other measures, as a way of reducing the transmission of the virus.
The evidence suggests they largely
protect other people, rather than the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main sources of transmission of virus. They are particularly useful in busy or crowded, indoor and poorly-ventilated areas.
In a statement a Welsh Government spokesman said: “Public transport vehicles are usually enclosed spaces. If a train or bus is crowded it may not be possible for people to choose not to get on as it could be their only route to work.
“Health and social care settings can be high risk environments where sick patients and staff could be at increased risk of exposure to the virus. Wearing face coverings in these areas can help protect others.”
The rules on face masks will also be changing in schools. On Friday, Education Minister Jeremy Miles wrote to all schools in Wales explaining that wearing face coverings in the classroom will no longer be recommended from September.
Health minister Eluned Morgan added: “Wearing face masks is an effective way of reducing the transmission of coronavirus.
“We all have a duty to help to protect each other. Keeping everyone safe has been the Welsh Government’s priority through the pandemic and will continue to be the priority in future.”
The First Minister will make a statement to a Plenary session at the Senedd on Wednesday setting out the outcome of the 21-day review and providing further details on the new alert level zero.