Coronavirus: Doctors call for face mask in public rule in Wales

A Traveller attends Cardiff Central Station with face mask and protective body suit Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Rail passengers in Wales can consider wearing face masks on trains

Face masks should be worn in public areas where people cannot socially distance to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, a doctors' union has said.

Wales' first minister had said there was only a "marginal public health case" for facemasks to stop Covid-19.

Now the British Medical Association (BMA) wants the Welsh Government to "change their position immediately to lessen the risk of the public spreading the virus".

It said masks "may help save lives."

Wales' chief medical officer had previously said on 12 May he would not be recommending the compulsory wearing of face coverings, advising they should remain a matter of personal choice.

Dr Frank Atherton had said 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.

BMA Cymru says it backs the wearing of face coverings by the public in areas where they cannot socially distance and wants the Welsh Government to undertake an urgent rethink.

"There still remains a considerable risk of infection," said BMA Cymru Wales chair Dr David Bailey.

"Emerging evidence has shown that if mouths and noses are covered when people are in areas where they cannot socially distance, it may help in in controlling the spread of infection of Covid-19 and therefore save lives.

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Media captionWith face masks in high demand, we look at whether they really can protect people from the virus

"Further, we are calling on Welsh Government to ensure a supply of face coverings for the public, similar to practices in other nations, as there will be circumstances where many individuals may not have the capacity to make them or may be unable to procure them when needed.

"It is sensible that these face coverings are not the same as the medical-grade masks which must be reserved for front-line staff whose job is dependent upon having them for adequate protection.

"The public must be informed and educated on how and when to use face coverings properly and it must be made clear to the public that this does not reduce the need and importance of continued adherence to social distancing and proper hand hygiene."

It comes as the body that represents train operators said passengers in Wales should follow England and wear face masks on public transport.

Wearing a mask on buses, trams, trains, coaches, aircraft and ferries will be compulsory in England from 15 June, it was announced on Thursday.

Transport for Wales said its passengers can "consider" wearing a face mask to help avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Now the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) wants every passenger in the UK to wear face coverings while on board.

"Wearing face coverings on trains will help to ensure that those who need to travel by rail can do so with confidence," said chief executive Paul Plummer.

"Greater use of face coverings will boost the other measures we are putting in place to keep people safe, like more thorough cleaning, improved information on potential crowding and one-way systems at busier stations."

Most of Wales' major railway lines - such as the London to Swansea mainline and south to north Wales route - cross the Wales and England border.

Transport for Wales (TfW) - an arms length organisation of Welsh Government - has said its customers can "consider" wearing face coverings in Wales but it is not mandatory.

"The cross border nature of our network means that we will continue to work collaboratively with industry partners to ensure customers understand how they can travel safely as they travel between Wales and England," said a TfW statement.

The advice in Wales is to stay local and only travel and use public transport if there is no other option.

"The safety of our colleagues and customers is our top priority and we'd like to reinforce the message to stay local and only use public transport if the journey is essential and there's no other travel alternative," added the TfW statement.

Very young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties were exempt from England's rules.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her government was considering whether to make it mandatory to wear face coverings in some situations. Scotland currently recommends wearing coverings in shops and on public transport.

In Northern Ireland, people have been told to consider wearing them in places where they cannot observe social distancing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently says only two groups of people should wear protective masks - those who are sick and showing symptoms and those who are caring for people with suspected coronavirus.

The WHO does not usually recommend them for the public because they can be contaminated by other people's coughs and sneezes, or when putting them on, or taking them off.

How to make your own face mask

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