Self-isolation and mask rules relaxed
THE Welsh Government has announced its latest relaxation of coronavirus rules but hasn’t gone as far as removing all restrictions due to rising case numbers.
From Monday, people will no longer have to wear masks in shops or on public transport, and the legal requirement to self-isolate with the virus will be removed, although it will still be strongly advised.
Masks will still be needed in health and social care and businesses will still have to carry out risk assessments under revised rules coming into force.
First Minister Mark Drakeford had previously announced plans to end all remaining restrictions but case numbers are increasing because of the BA.2 variant.
Ahead of his press conference today, Mr Drakeford said: “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.”
The next review of the rules will be held on Good Friday, April 15.
With more than one in five of Wales’ population now on an NHS waiting list, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has said she is “determined to relieve people of their pain as soon as possible”.
Her comments come as waitings times worsened for the 21st month in a row. In January there were 688,836 people on the waiting list – a rise from 683,331 recorded in December 2021 and way up on the 456,809 just before the pandemic hit in March 2020.
The Health Minister said typical winter pressures were compounded by a huge rise in the Omicron variant of coronavirus and her call to health boards to divert resources to the booster vaccination programme.
PEOPLE will no longer have to wear masks in shops or on public transport in Wales from Monday but the Welsh Government has decided not to relax all restrictions as it had hoped to do.
Masks will still be needed in health and social care and businesses will still have to carry out risk assessments under revised rules coming into force.
The latest review of coronavirus rules has taken place and with cases rising in Wales the Welsh Government has decided not to go ahead with the plan First Minister Mark Drakeford, pictured right, had previously announced which was to end all remaining restrictions from Monday.
That is due to the BA.2 variant of coronavirus which is causing rising case numbers in Wales.
The revised rules mean that from Monday, you will only need to wear masks in health and social care settings – not in shops or on public transport.
If you get Covid, you are strongly advised to self-isolate but it is no longer a legal requirement and risk assessments still need to be drawn up by businesses.
A £500 self-isolation payment to support people will continue to be available until June.
The next review of the rules will be held on Good Friday, April 15.
Covid cases are rising in Wales which the First Minister has admitted has caused concern within the Welsh Government.
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.”
Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, the First Minister said the rise was leading to “very concerning circumstances”.
Health minister Eluned Morgan also warned absences due to either staff self-isolating or having Covid was affecting the health service and that would have implications for any return to routine.
Scotland has also decided to extend the use of face masks.
The legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and most indoor public settings will remain until at least early April due to a spike in Covid case numbers.
Businesses had been legally required to take steps to reduce the spread of Covid including physical distancing and screens. That ended on Monday, March 21, along with the legal requirement to retain customers’ contact details.
It had been expected that the the legal requirement to wear face coverings in shops, hospitality venues, and on public transport would also be downgraded to guidance on the same date.
However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would be remain as a regulation for “a further short period” because of the surge in cases. The measure will be reviewed again before the Scottish Parliament’s Easter recess and is expected to become guidance in early April.
Mr Drakeford will give a press conference today outlining the changes in Wales.