Health board reintroduces face mask rules for hospital staff and visitors

Hospital staff and visitors in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) area are once again being asked to wear face masks.

The health board, which covers Caerphilly County Borough, as well as Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire, reintroduced the measure earlier this week.

In a statement, ABUHB said the measure was in response to the “increasing prevalence of Covid-19 in the community, the increased number of Covid-19 ward outbreaks and the numbers of staff absent with Cpvid-19”.

It also said it will “continue to review” the situation both in the community and in hospitals, and will “update accordingly”.

Meanwhile, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, which covers the local authorities of Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend, has also reintroduced face mask rules.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show one in 45 people in Wales currently have Covid.

The Welsh Government has announced free lateral flow tests (LFTs) would continue until the end of July due to the increase in cases – having initially meant to end at the end of this month.