Requirements for hospital staff, patients, and visitors to wear masks in all health settings across Gwent have been lifted.
The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which covers Caerphilly County Borough, as well as Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire, introduced the measure on Tuesday October 7 due to “an increase in winter illnesses”.
Why is Caerphilly in Gwent?
Caerphilly County Borough was formed on April 1, 1996, by the merger of the Rhymney Valley district of Mid Glamorgan with the Islwyn borough of Gwent.
Administratively, for local services such as the police and health, the borough now falls under a wider region referred to as Gwent. This comprises the council areas of Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.
Masks had to be worn when entering hospital sites, wards, emergency departments, and all clinical settings, including minor injury units.
However, this mandatory requirement ended on Friday October 24 – but the health board is still encouraging people to wear masks.
In a statement, the health board said: “Thank you to everyone who has followed our infection prevention measures.
“In recent weeks since introducing masks and other precautions, we’ve seen a welcome decrease in Winter illnesses across our hospital sites.
“This improvement means we can now step down mandatory mask-wearing in our hospitals. However, we still encourage visitors to wear a mask, especially in busy areas or when around vulnerable patients.
“We do ask everyone to remain vigilant.”
Support quality, independent local news Help fund public-interest journalism in Caerphilly County Borough from just £1 a month and enjoy an advert-free website experience. Become a member today →