Further scientific evidence on the effectiveness of face coverings in the fight to stamp out coronavirus has prompted Plaid Cymru to repeat their calls on the Welsh Government to encourage the use face coverings.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru MS and Shadow Minister for Health and Care, has called on the Welsh Government to follow the latest scientific evidence on face coverings, and to encourage the public to wear masks in certain enclosed public spaces.
A growing science base suggests face coverings contribute significantly to stopping the spread of the virus by reducing the rate of airborne transmission of aerosols produced by those not displaying symptoms.
A paper from the end of May 2020 produced collaboratively by the University of California San Diego, and the National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, notes that the virus can remain infectious indoors for hours, and that ‘measures designed to reduce aerosol transmission must be implemented, including universal masking’.
Mr ap Iorwerth said this further scientific basis for encouraging public use of face coverings must be taken into account and acted on by the Welsh Government, alongside a robust testing strategy, to reduce the R-rate in Wales.
Rhun ap Iorwerth Shadow Minister for Health said: “The Welsh Government must pay close attention to the emerging science and take on board evidence that can help keep people in Wales safe.
“The case for the universal face coverings in higher risk public spaces, such a supermarkets, is becoming stronger. I believe Welsh Government should respond and adapt their strategy, moving to active encouragement of the use of face coverings.
“Given that Welsh Government is rightly taking a cautious approach with lockdown restrictions, here’s another opportunity to keep people safe. If it makes a positive contribution, then why not encourage it?”
Mr ap Iorwerth added that this is something individuals and communities throughout Wales can help with, and asked Ministers to support a Wales-wide mask making initiative: “Whilst medical face coverings should clearly be prioritised for health and social care professionals, people can make simple face coverings at home.
“I’ll be actively sharing the large number of online and other tools available for mask-making – a ‘Masg Cymru’ initiative could bring individuals and communities together, and if the evidence is right, could save lives.”
Schools
Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Education Minister Siân Gwenllian has also criticised the Welsh Government’s decision to re-open schools for all pupils from 29 June calling the move “too early”.
Citing the early days of a testing and tracing system and the limited evidence on how the virus is transmitted, particularly between children and adults, the Shadow Education Minister called the move was “rash” and said many parents and pupils would not be confident to return at the end of June.
Ms Gwenllian said that schools should instead remain closed for June and July and only open in mid-August if it was “safe to do so”.
Ms Gwenllian called again for more focus on getting remote working right so that schools are able to continue to provide education whatever happens in future months.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Education Siân Gwenllian MS said: “This is the wrong call from the Education Minister. Sending children back to school at the end of June is too early.
“The Welsh Government’s testing and tracing program has only just begun and we have limited evidence on how the virus transmits in our communities. Many parents and children will not be confident it is safe to return to schools. This is a rash decision.
“Plaid Cymru believes that instead schools should remain closed throughout June and July with a phased re-opening only if it safe to do so in mid-August.
“Refining and ramping up remote learning remains crucial to the plans for the phased re-opening of schools and ensuring that schools remain engaged with every pupil, so that no child is left behind. If we get distance learning right, then this allows us to continue educating our children in the safety of their home, even if we face another lockdown in winter.”
“Furthermore, a longer summer holiday could be detrimental to pupils and consideration should be given to rolling out online activities to ensure children remain occupied.”
