Face mask rules extended across whole of Wales

Face masks are now compulsory in indoor public places across Wales.

This means everyone above the age of 11 will be required to wear masks in shops, banks, gyms and other indoor places where social distancing is not possible.

However, it is not compulsory to wear masks in pubs or restaurants.

The new rules, which came into force on Monday (September 14), have already been in place in Caerphilly County Borough – which was placed under a local lockdown on September 8.

According to the latest headline figure released by Public Health Wales, the body was made aware of 162 new cases of coronavirus in Wales on Saturday (September 12) – 31 of which were recorded in Caerphilly County Borough.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Once again we are having to focus on tightening restrictions across Wales to prevent cases from rising even higher and prevent the problem from worsening – as we have seen elsewhere in the UK.

“Wales is not immune to the spread of coronavirus elsewhere in the UK, and as difficulties deepen elsewhere, we must expect that to have an impact here, too.”

Mr Drakeford added: “We have all been through so much together this year and we all want to see an end to coronavirus but this will only happen if we all follow the rules and take action to protect ourselves and our loved ones and keep Wales safe.”