Face coverings MUST be worn in taxis and other modes of public transport in Wales from 27 July

Face masks will become mandatory in taxis and other modes of transport in Wales under a new rule which has been announced today (13 July).

The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, announced the news, saying: "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 2m physical distance, it will become mandatory for people to wear a three-layer face covering while travelling – this includes taxis.

“The requirement to wear a face covering on public transport will come into effect from 27 July."

Face coverings were made mandatory in England on 15 June for anyone travelling on public transport, but unlike in Wales, taxis were not included, although it was advised.

The advice to anyone wearing a face mask is to make sure it covers the nose, mouth, and chin and is secured with elastic loops or ties, include multiple layers, be washable and reusable, for it to be at its most effective.

Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price MS has previously warned that a slow and cautious approach to making the wearing of face masks mandatory “risks public health”.

Mr Price said: “Further deaths can be prevented if face mask are worn in public. In Wales, this could be as many as 1000 people. 

“The guidance from WHO has – for some time – been that governments should recommended the use of face masks in public. This latest data from IHME has stepped up the urgency. This is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but, put more simply, a matter of life and death."