CALLS have been made to the Welsh Government to stop lagging behind in making face masks compulsory.

Today, it became mandatory for face masks to be worn by passengers in taxis, buses and trains.

But face coverings should also be mandatory in shops, according to Plaid Cymru.

The Welsh Government must stop “lagging behind” and follow up to date scientific evidence on face coverings said Plaid Cymru Shadow Health Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS

Last week, England joined Scotland in making face coverings mandatory in shops. Although face coverings are now mandatory on public transport in Wales, there is still no requirement to use them in any other public spaces.

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Health Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said the Welsh Government’s decision making over face coverings “contradicts the cautious approach they’ve been following until now”.

Mr ap Iorwerth MS said,:“The Welsh Government really needs to update its policy on face coverings and embrace the latest scientific advice that suggests it can make a real difference in decreasing transmission of the virus. Instead, they’re lagging behind.

“Their reluctance to do so contradicts the cautious approach it has been following until, and frankly puts its citizens more at risk.

“The Welsh Government must urgently follow the overwhelming advice from sources including the WHO, the president of the Royal Society, various publications including from Oxford and Washington Universities, and many, many more.”

Everything that helps combat the risks should be embraced. We’re seeing from a recent increase in cases in the Wrexham area, for example, that the risks of increased transmission are still very much present.”

The Welsh Conservatives have also accused the Welsh Government of lagging behind, this time on the use of face coverings in hospitals.

This weekend, patients were urged to only attend A&E at Wrexham Maelor Hospital if it was necessary due to a spike in cases in the region.

And, commenting on the recent report that outpatients and visitors at NHS sites in North Wales are being requested to wear face coverings, the Shadow Minister for Health, Andrew RT Davies MS, said: “Since early last month, all visitors and outpatients have been obliged to wear face coverings at all times in hospitals in other parts of the UK.

“Regrettably, the same cannot be said here in Wales, where once again the Welsh Labour-led Government has lagged behind in implementing this crucial step.

“Time and time again, we are seeing Wales being held back by the constant dithering and delay from this government.

“The Welsh Conservatives call on the Welsh Labour-led Government to finally put Wales first, and make face coverings mandatory for all visitors and outpatients immediately.”

The move to make face coverings on public transport compulsory from today is aimed at helping operators to increase capacity on trains and buses as demand rises following the ongoing process of gradually easing the coronavirus restrictions in Wales.

For now, the Welsh Government is still asking people to consider their reasons for using public transport in order to ensure capacity for critical workers and those with no alternative transport.

At present, no plans are in place for the Welsh Government to make face coverings a compulsory measure in other areas – such as shops.