Wales to drop face mask wearing in shops and on public transport

Mask wearing in shops and on public transport will no longer be a legal requirement from Monday, March 28, the Welsh Government has announced.

Public health advice will be to continue to wear masks in these places, but the rule will remain in health and social care settings – such as hospitals and care homes.

The requirement to self-isolate will also move into guidance, although a £500 self-isolation payment to support people will continue to be available until June.

Businesses will also still be required to carry out by businesses with “reasonable measures put in place”.

The Welsh Government said the recent rise in the number of coronavirus cases has been driven by the BA.2 sub-type of the omicron variant.

First Minister Mark 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.