Law on face masks in shops and public transport to be dropped from Monday in Wales
Self-isolation rule for positive cases will also be dropped in latest announcement from Welsh Government
Last updated 25th Mar 2022
From Monday masks will no longer be a legal requirement in shops and on public transport in Wales.
They will continue to be recommended in public health advice, as some of the remaining pandemic protections in Wales are relaxed.
The Welsh Government are also moving the requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid into guidance alone.
However, a £500 self-isolation payment to support people will continue to be available until June.
Two laws will remain in place as coronavirus cases have risen sharply in recent weeks.
That’s been driven by the BA.2 sub-type of the omicron variant.
Face coverings will remain a legal requirement in health and social care settings and coronavirus risk assessments must continue to be carried out by businesses, with reasonable measures put in place in light of those assessments.
First Minister Mark Drakeford will give an update at today's lunchtime briefing. He 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 14 April, when the remaining legal measures will be reviewed.