Covid update: No longer law to wear a mask

Wearing a face mask in shops or on buses and trains is no longer the law in Wales from today (Monday) as the Government scraps Covid regulations.

Two years into the pandemic, self-isolation rules have also ended but it will still be a legal requirement to wear a mask in health and social care settings.

Wales will continue to gradually relax some of its remaining pandemic protections, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced.

And the requirement to self-isolate will also move into guidance. A £500 self-isolation payment to support people will continue to be available until June.

Face coverings will remain a legal requirement in health and social care settings and coronavirus risk assessments must continue to be carried out by businesses, with reasonable measures put in place in light of those assessments.

Mr Drakeford said: “We have seen an unwelcome rise in coronavirus cases across Wales, mirroring the position in most of the UK.

“We have carefully considered the very latest scientific and medical evidence and we need to keep some legal protections in place for a little while longer, to help keep Wales safe.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a gradual and cautious approach as we have relaxed protections.

“We are firmly on the path towards leaving the emergency response to the pandemic behind us and learning to live with coronavirus safely.”

The next three-weekly review of coronavirus regulations will be carried out by April 14, when the remaining legal measures will be reviewed.