Written question WQ83430

Face coverings remain a legal requirement in all indoors public places, with the exception of hospitality settings.

We have strengthened communications with the public, stakeholders and media, highlighting the levels of risk and the importance of adopting protective behaviours, especially for those people undertaking higher risk activities. We have revisited guidance for businesses and other organisations to emphasise their obligations to take reasonable measures, including the use of face coverings. For example, businesses can ensure they provide regular public address system announcements and clear signage.

We continue to speak regularly with stakeholder groups including for sectors such as retail, and with operators like Transport for Wales. For example, we expect train announcements to be regularly made reminding people of the legal requirement to wear face coverings when travelling in Wales. We have asked the UK Department for Transport to remind their train operators to do the same.

Any individual who is concerned around measures taken by specific businesses to minimise the transmission and spread of coronavirus, can and should raise this directly with their local authority Public Protection Enforcement Team. Enforcement teams do follow up on complaints they receive including the non-wearing of face coverings by staff and other customers.