Face masks will be compulsory on public transport from 27 July, Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, has announced.
At the Welsh Government’s daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Drakeford said this would include taxis and other situations where social distancing was not possible.
He said this was being done for “simplicity and consistency” because of the “porous” border between England and Wales and to reduce transmission risk on public transport.
“It will become mandatory for people to wear a three-layer face covering while travelling,” he said.
Mr Drakeford said: “For the sake of simplicity and consistency, as well as being part of our plan to help reduce the risk of transmission while on public transport where it is not always possible to maintain a two metre physical distance, it will become mandatory for people to wear a three-layer face covering while travelling – this includes taxis.”
Face coverings are currently required on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Having a different rule for wearing masks on public transport in Wales and England was “not sustainable in the long term” he added.
“Our decision to make face coverings mandatory on public transport is a combination of the fact that we know as the economy gets back into operation more people will need to use public transport to go to work and for other purposes, and when more people need to use confined spaces then additional protections need to be introduced in order to overcome the fact that two-metre social distancing will not always be possible.”
Mr Drakeford said face masks would not be mandatory for shoppers, but businesses may ask people to wear them.
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price welcomed the move but said: “In acknowledging that face coverings make a crucial difference on trains, buses and in taxis, the question must be begged of Welsh Government – why not in shops also?
“The latest guidance, while a step in the right direction, still doesn’t go far enough.”
Unite Wales regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “This decision will improve safety on our buses, trains and taxis… it will also greatly increase the confidence of the general public to travel on public transport as lockdown measures are eased.”
