People in Wales recommended to wear three-layer face coverings in certain circumstances

Speaking at the Welsh Government briefing today, Health Minster Vaughan Gething said the recommendation follows updated advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The evidence remains that maintaining a two-metre distance and good hand hygiene is the most effective way for people to protect themselves and others from contracting coronavirus, but the updated guidance from the WHO says three layer face coverings could help provide some control of the virus in specific circumstances.

These including using public transport but not visiting supermarkets.

Mr Gething said: “Washing your hands, avoiding touching your face and maintaining a two-metre distance from others remain the best way of stopping the spread of the virus.

“On Friday, the WHO updated their guidance on face coverings, advising that they should be considered in settings where maintaining social distancing is difficult. However, to be crystal clear, wearing a face covering does not replace the need for social distancing or washing your hands regularly.

Health minister Vaughan Gething at today's Welsh Government press briefing

“Further scientific evidence is needed on the benefits to the wider public of wearing face coverings, but observational findings so far suggest that homemade or purchased three-layer face-coverings might reduce transmission from one person to another if made, worn, handled and disposed of properly.

“Therefore, on balance, we are recommending to the people of Wales that three-layer face-coverings should be used in situations where social distancing measures can be more difficult to achieve, for example, on public transport. We are not recommending their use outdoors.

“The wearing of face coverings will not be mandatory, but we will encourage people to do this for the benefit of themselves and others.”

This updated advice only applies to people who are not showing symptoms of coronavirus. People who are symptomatic must self-isolate for seven days and get a test, as set out in existing guidance. Unless the test shows a negative result, they must not go out during this time, even with a face covering or mask.

The Minister added: “Anyone who has a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste must self-isolate for a minimum of seven days and get a test as quickly as possible.

"Unless the test shows a negative result, people must not go out during this time, even with a face covering or mask.”

WHO recommends a minimum of three layers in a face covering, which should include: an inner layer of absorbent material, such as cotton; a middle layer of non-woven material, such as polypropylenel; and an outer layer of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester-blend.

However, Mr Gething said the Welsh Government was not going to mandate a specific type of covering as it is unenforceable.

He also said the recommendation was not for activities such as shopping, as shops and customers in Wales were following social distancing rules through limiting the number of people in shops and floor markings.

Speaking at the press briefing, Mr Gething added: “These are for those situations where you know you're not going to be able effectively socially distance and actually, in our shops, when I go and do my weekly shopping I find that people follow the rules.

“In some circumstances, and public transport is the obvious example, that may not be possible.

Mr Gething added: "The danger is that people behave or try to reframe the adviceas if what we're saying is 'if you wear a face covering you can do what you like and that is very, very clearly not the advice. It is still the case that people should follow social distancing wherever possible and it's only if that isn't possible."