Welsh Government stick with ‘tight scarf’ minimum face covering guidance as other countries move to FFP3 or double masking
Welsh Government has said if current face covering or mask evidence changes it will alter guidance to the people of Wales over what should be worn as added protection against coronavirus.
Previously we asked the Welsh Government about moves in France and other European countries to recommend FFP2 or medical masks (with some states giving them out for free) when in shops or on public transport and whether the French health minister was right or Wales’ Vaughan Gething when it came to standards.
We were told that the face covering advice was a minimum standard for people here in Wales.
Welsh Government’s existing guidance on ‘face coverings’ was last updated on the 28th January, with the below guide on “types of face covering” that still includes a ‘secure’ scarf.
Last week the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC in the USA) stated close-fitting surgical masks worn underneath cloth masks – commonly known as double masking – can significantly enhance protection against coronavirus.
Since President Joe Biden has entered office, masks are now required on all public transport in the USA.
In light of the change by the CDC we asked the health minister again on the topic, and if Wales and the UK were becoming an outlier on face covering advice.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething replied: “I wouldn’t say we are becoming an outlier.
“This is one of the things where we’re constantly reviewing the public health advice and the impact on transmission and it’s one of the control measures we have in place.
“Because actually, from earlier questions, the most successful control measure in reducing transmission rates has been reducing people’s contact with each other and that’s thanks to the hard work and the sacrifice of people across the country.
“When people are going out, I regularly see people out wearing masks and I think really positive adherence to that message of how we can keep each other safe and wearing a face covering when we are in an indoor or public place.
“If there’s a need to change our advice, then I expect that to be reviewed by our chief medical officer department with up to date scientific evidence.
“I’ve said many, many times if the evidence changes, then I’m more than happy to change the decisions we make, the advice and the guidance we give to help keep people safe, because that is what this is all about.”
You can read the full official guidance on face coverings for Wales here.
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