Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford yesterday laid out the nation’s path out of lockdown.
The country will make a more gradual move away from Covid restrictions compared to England – although under the plan will be in a similar position by August 7.
One area where the rules will be different is face coverings and with thousands of holidaymakers coming over the border in the coming weeks it is important these differences are well publicised.
In England the UK Government is going for a guidance approach but in Wales laws on masks will remain in place.
Face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors in public places, such as on public transport, in shops, pubs, restaurants and when accessing healthcare.
Read More Related Articles ‘Dewch yn Ol’ campaign helping attract talent back to North Wales Read More Related Articles Welsh Government lockdown easing welcomed but warning over holidaymaker confusionThis means supermarkets and other shops will still have to enforce the rules on masks – something shoppers will have to keep in mind. The same applies in hospitality settings initially.
This will change from August 7 when masks will not be legally required in pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Welsh Government said: “Wearing face coverings in indoor public places has been a feature of the pandemic since mid-2020 and there remains a high degree of public support for this protective measure in some situations.
“There is some evidence that face coverings may provide a partial protective effect against transmission of Covid-19.
“They are more effective if most people in a particular setting are wearing them. There is therefore a benefit to maintaining a regulatory requirement for wearing face coverings in some circumstances or settings – particularly during periods when there are higher levels of coronavirus circulating across Wales.”
Read More Related Articles Former Welsh pub of the year is up for sale after 35 years with the same family Read More Related Articles Fears firms forced to shut over key summer weeks due to Covid cases will miss out on Welsh Government supportExplaining why they will move to ease rules in hospitality settings from August 7, they said: “We are starting with with the exception of hospitality premises because for the majority of time people spend there, they are already not required to wear a face covering because of the exemption that applies when consuming food or drink.
“In addition people can generally choose not to visit such premises if they are are at high risk of severe illness if they contract the virus.
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“However, hospitality businesses must still carry out a coronavirus risk assessment and can still decide to retain the requirement for face coverings on their premises. In addition, although it will no longer be a legal requirement we continue to advise people to wear a face covering wherever practical in these environments.”
Store rules could change in the future.
They said: “We expect to gradually ease the legal requirement to wear face coverings, though the requirements on public transport and in healthcare settings are likely to be in place longest.”
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