This week people experienced life with no coronavirus restrictions for the first time in more than two years. It was towards the end of March, 2020, when Wales, and the rest of the UK, were first plunged into a state of lockdown as cases of Covid-19 soared.
Since then, restrictions have been in place to varying degrees, including full-on ‘stay at home lockdowns’, restrictions in pubs and shops, travel restrictions and rules with regard to the wearing of face coverings. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
Most regulations were scrapped in March this year - two years after they were imposed - while workplaces were allowed to put a stop to Covid measures in April, with schools and higher education settings following suit earlier this month. After that, the last remaining Covid restrictions anywhere in the UK came to an end on Monday (May 30) when the legal requirement to wear a face covering in health and care settings in Wales was halted.
Read more: Hospitals at breaking point as they issue A&E warning
Of course, people can and do continue to wear face coverings if they so wish, be it in supermarkets, pubs, their local GP surgery, or just out and about in Wales. Some find it more comfortable, having not found the wearing of masks prohibitive since the outbreak of Covid-19. Read here about what Welsh people think of Boris Johnson following the partygate scandal.
On social media, WalesOnline readers have been reacting to the news that the last remaining restrictions were lifted. Carol Yates said: “I will still wear my face mask in shops and hospital and doctors’ surgeries and anywhere else. As I am very vulnerable to viruses.” Lorraine Davey concurred, saying: “I’m off up the hospital later, I will still be wearing one there and on the bus, confined space, standing room only, no thanks to strangers being right in my face.”
Amanda Harris said: “New rules does not mean no Covid. Just be thoughtful. Don’t take chances and if you’re not well either stay home or at least wear a mask to help prevent it spreading. No rules doesn’t mean no responsibilities!”
Adam Doggett was pleased that masks were still being worn at a hospital he visited on Monday, but suggested that wearing them should still be a legal requirement. He said: “I’m in a hospital now, masks and sanitiser are still being used by all staff and patients and rightly so. Sick and elderly people are still at high risk so why wouldn’t any responsible person want to help protect them by taking the necessary precautions. I think Drakeford has dropped the ball on this one after a pretty decent approach to the pandemic so far.”
Chanelle Mackay is another who will continue to wear a mask, regardless of what the new rules say. “I still wear a mask on school runs and shopping simply because I’m a single mother of two young children,” she said. “And I have had Covid twice and both times had difficulty. And I simply do it to protect others, too. Everyone can have their own choice!” Daniel Owen is another who will continue to wear a mask, amid fears that another variant could cause further problems down the line. He said: “I don’t think it’s gone away to be honest......there will be another variant but I am still going to wear my mask.”
Others, however, did not see the benefit in wearing masks. Carol Clowes said: “It amazes me how I’ve gone through two years of mixing with over 100 people daily not masking or any other complete nonsense that a toddler could tell was utter bs and yet I didn’t know a single person who was sick with this.” Christopher Holly said: “Still can’t believe people have been so brainwashed that they still walk down the street on a beautiful sunny day on their own with a mask on!”.
Meanwhile, Jon-Paul Bohen said: “About time. Forced restrictions of any kind should never have been enforced. They should always have been an individual’s choice.” Hugh Jenny McDonagh simply said that the removal of restrictions was “great news”, and Gareth Pugh added: “Not before time either, all restrictions should have ended long ago!” Adrian Lewis went further by saying: “I never have or never will have restrictions - I do what I want when I want to, I’m not a clown and I don’t listen to the bull.”
What do you think about this story? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Speaking about Monday’s change in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government will continue to recommend people take simple steps to protect their health - including wearing face coverings in health settings - as Wales moves beyond the emergency response to the pandemic.
He said on Friday: "The pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives - everyone has made sacrifices and changes over the last two years. But it is thanks to all your efforts that we can move beyond the emergency response while still living safely with this virus.
“I want to thank everyone for all you have done to protect yourselves and your loved ones. You have followed the rules and you have kept Wales safe. This three-week review of the coronavirus regulations is a significant milestone - we are completing our careful and gradual transition away from legal protections and away from the emergency response to the pandemic.”
