North Wales health board confirms changes to mask wearing in its hospitals

Those visiting hospital sites across North Wales are no longer required to wear a face mask.

It comes after the Welsh Government announced on Friday that the use of face coverings in medical settings would come to an end this week.

The mandate in hospitals, surgeries and pharmacies was the last remaining covid measure in place in Wales.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have said that patients and visitors can choose to wear a face covering if they wish, but there is no longer a legal requirement to do so.

However the health board is advising that people wear a mask in the following situations:

• Inpatients and outpatients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in wards and communal areas like waiting areas
• Isolated with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 if receiving visitors or cannot have the room door closed
• There is a ward/departmental outbreak of COVID-19 – this includes visitors to that ward
• Patients and visitors in all Haematology/ Oncology settings (inpatients and outpatients including community and primary care) due to increased risk of infection in these groups
• Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 transferring to another care area
• Patients who during triage inform staff that they have COVID-19 symptoms

In terms of visiting in patients, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We expect our visitors to work with us as partners to maintain the safety of our patients and respect the measures that we ask of them to follow. At any time, visiting may be amended or cancelled to maintain safety.

“Visiting considerations will be informed by community COVID 19 transmission rates, hospital COVID 19 admission numbers and any outbreaks that may be experienced in the Hospital environment.

“As you will be aware these can change rapidly hence it is important that you check with the ward / department at the time.

““All visiting will be by appointment and all visitors will require an individual risk assessment to be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit for both exceptional and general visiting arrangements, in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe”