This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52631835

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Face masks: How is Wales' advice different to England? Face masks: How is Wales' advice different to England?
(2 months later)
Online searches for the term "face mask" shot up on Monday following a change of recommendation from the UK government that people should wear face coverings in indoor situations where it is hard to socially distance, such as shops or buses. Face masks and face coverings - and where you must wear them - has changed over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
But, crucially, this advice only applies in England, leading to confusion among some residents in Wales as to what they should do. And depending on where you live in the UK, different rules apply - from advice to mandatory rules stating you must wear one.
The situation in Wales has also changed since lockdown was introduced in March.
What is the Welsh Government's advice on wearing face masks?What is the Welsh Government's advice on wearing face masks?
First Minister Mark Drakeford has been quite clear on this point: his government is not recommending or mandating that people in Wales have to wear masks in public during the coronavirus pandemic. At the outset in Wales, the advice on face masks from the chef medical officer Dr Frank Atherton was that there was only a "marginal public health case" for wearing them.
He told the public during the daily coronavirus briefing on Monday that Wales' chief medical officer Dr Frank Atherton advised there was only a "marginal public health case" for the measure. But both he and the Welsh Government always said they would keep the measure under review - and if the evidence changed, so would the advice.
"It doesn't protect you, the wearer, from anybody else, but it may protect other people from the risk of you infecting them," Mr Drakeford said. On 13 July, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the position was changing.
However he did concede there was a case for wearing them if it gave people "confidence" but stressed they should not be looking to source medical-grade masks which are needed for healthcare workers. From Monday 27 July three-layer face coverings will be mandatory on all public transport in Wales - buses, trains, and taxis.
Dr Atherton said at a previous press briefing he would not advise anyone to wear a face mask or covering, saying social distancing by staying two metres apart was far more important. It brings Wales into line with Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, who all demand passengers wear face masks.
On Tuesday he explained why he was concerned about recommending them. Mr Drakeford explained: "For the sake of simplicity and consistency, as well as being part of our plan to help reduce the risk of transmission while on public transport where it is not always possible to maintain a two metre physical distance, it will become mandatory for people to wear a three-layer face covering while travelling - this includes taxis."
"We don't know if there will be enough masks in the UK, let alone in Wales, if the public and employers are trying to buy clinical grade masks at the same time as the NHS," Dr Atherton said. He said having a different rule for wearing masks on public transport in Wales and England was "not sustainable in the long term".
Masks might bring "a small benefit" to public health if everyone wore one, he said, but there was a "bigger, proven benefit" if all health and social care staff wore clinical grade masks when caring. "Our decision to make face coverings mandatory on public transport is a combination of the fact that we know as the economy gets back into operation more people will need to use public transport to go to work and for other purposes, and when more people need to use confined spaces then additional protections need to be introduced in order to overcome the fact that two-metre social distancing will not always be possible," added Mr Drakeford.
He said anyone with symptoms should be staying at home anyway. But the first minister has remained firm on face coverings for shopping or other activities - it is not happening in Wales.
Wales is now the only UK nation not to recommend face coverings in certain indoor settings. "The advice of the Welsh Government is that if places are crowded then face coverings are advisory. Where places are not crowded, it is a matter for the individual citizen to make that decision."
He said huge steps had been taken by the retail industry in Wales to make their shopping spaces safer, with physical distancing measures, screens and one-way systems in place.
"At this point in time, when the prevalence of coronavirus is low, we are not mandating the use of face coverings in other public places," he said.
What has changed for England?What has changed for England?
For the first time, people in England are now being advised to wear face coverings in situations where they may not be able to practise social distancing, such as on public transport or in some shops or "they come into contact with people they do not normally meet". Initially, people in England were only "advised" to wear face coverings in situations where they may not be able to practise social distancing, such as on public transport or in some shops.
But again, that position has changed - and drastically so.
From 15 June, all passengers on public transport have been told they must wear face coverings.
From Friday, 24 July, that rule is extended to shopping, including popping out for a take-away meal. Those failing to cover their face will risk fines of £100.
It comes as changes to lockdown advice mean people who cannot work from home are being actively encouraged to go back to work, and Boris Johnson has started to lay out a "roadmap" to loosen the lockdown over time, which will inevitably lead to people mixing more.It comes as changes to lockdown advice mean people who cannot work from home are being actively encouraged to go back to work, and Boris Johnson has started to lay out a "roadmap" to loosen the lockdown over time, which will inevitably lead to people mixing more.
The advice only applies to certain indoor settings - so no need while outdoors and exercising - and does not include use in schools and offices or by those who may find them difficult such as children under two or those with breathing difficulties.
Scotland went early on face mask adviceScotland went early on face mask advice
The Scottish Government was ahead of England on recommending the use of face masks at the end of April, in similar situations to those announced on Monday for its southern neighbour, namely in some shops and on public transport. The Scottish Government was ahead of England on recommending the use of face masks at the end of April.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said at the time she had spoken about masks because some people were already wearing them and she did not want people to feel "invincible" by doing so, stressing the limitations of non medical-grade face coverings and the primary importance of social distancing. Advice soon became compulsory - on all public transport from 22 June, and mandatory in shops from 10 July.
The Scottish Government updated its advice on Monday, keeping the face covering as a recommendation, and saying there may be a "limited benefit" in the specific circumstances mentioned. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the step had been taken now because the easing of lockdown restrictions meant that people were going out more.
Northern Ireland advises covering "That brings much greater risk of the virus spreading," she warned.
Northern Ireland's Department of Health said last Thursday it was recommending, but not mandating, the use of face coverings "for short periods in enclosed spaces, where social distancing is not possible". Northern Ireland reconsiders its rules
Health Minister Robin Swann added: "In practice, these circumstances will largely relate to public transport and retail environments." At the moment, Northern Ireland's rules are similar to Wales - with mandatory face coverings imposed on passengers on 10 July.
Like Scotland and England, the advice stresses that coverings are no substitution for social distancing measures, and also continued to stress the importance of hand washing and the "catch it, bin it, kill it" tissue use advice for coughs and sneezes. There are exemptions for those with medical conditions, and it does not apply to children under the age of 13, or on school transport.
But that could all change again. Ministers are meeting on Thursday, 23 July, to discuss making face masks compulsory in shops.
NI's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride supports the move, which is already in place in the Republic of Ireland.
What do scientists say on face mask use?What do scientists say on face mask use?
The World Health Organisation says medical face masks should only be worn by a person caring for someone with Covid-19.The World Health Organisation says medical face masks should only be worn by a person caring for someone with Covid-19.
However, on the use of non-medical masks, usually made of fabric, it says the scientific evidence for their benefit is limited.However, on the use of non-medical masks, usually made of fabric, it says the scientific evidence for their benefit is limited.
One study showed medical workers using fabric masks were at increased risk of respiratory disease rather than decreased risk when compared with medical masks.One study showed medical workers using fabric masks were at increased risk of respiratory disease rather than decreased risk when compared with medical masks.
For ordinary people, the masks' protective effectiveness is "unknown", but they may protect others - not the wearer - if the wearer is an asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carrier of the disease.For ordinary people, the masks' protective effectiveness is "unknown", but they may protect others - not the wearer - if the wearer is an asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carrier of the disease.
There can be risks associated with using masks, including a false sense of security leading people to breach social-distancing guidelines, and self-contamination that can occur by touching and reusing a contaminated mask.There can be risks associated with using masks, including a false sense of security leading people to breach social-distancing guidelines, and self-contamination that can occur by touching and reusing a contaminated mask.
Its conclusion? "Currently there is not enough evidence for or against the use of masks (medical or other) for healthy individuals in the wider community."Its conclusion? "Currently there is not enough evidence for or against the use of masks (medical or other) for healthy individuals in the wider community."