Face coverings are set to remain in use in health and care settings confirms Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford.
This comes after a recent spike caused by the BA.2 sub-type of omicron, which has caused public unrest and has been further exacerbating the ongoing issues the health sector has with backlog.
Despite the public health situation apparently improving, the Welsh government has decided to continue to enforce precautionary measures in order to protect the most vulnerable people in society, staff and visitors.
Speaking after the latest three-weekly review, Leader of Welsh Labour, Drakeford said: “The pandemic isn’t over but we are seeing encouraging signs the recent high levels of infections across Wales are falling.
“There are steps we can all take to protect ourselves while coronavirus is still circulating and reduce the spread of the virus even further. This is particularly true in places where some of the most vulnerable people in society are being treated and live, which is why we will retain the legal requirement to wear face coverings in health and social care settings.
“More generally, ensuring you are up-to-date with your Covid vaccinations and spring booster – if you are eligible – is really important. If you have Covid symptoms or test positive, please stay at home and help break the chain of transmission. Together, we can carry on keeping each other safe and keeping Wales safe.”
Official government guidelines are as follows: “You must wear face coverings in health and social care settings. Continuing to wear face coverings in these settings helps to protect others. Clinically vulnerable people may have less of a choice in attending these places.”
The next three-weekly review will be carried out by the 26th of May,
More information about what the government in Wales is saying pertaining to the coronavirus can be found here.
