Face masks have become so normal in Wales since the coronavirus pandemic started that it's now hard to imagine leaving home without one. However, people in Wales seem divided on whether face coverings should be scrapped at the end of March as planned while we see a sharp increase in cases of the virus.
Last month on February 28, Wales saw a relaxation rules on wearing masks in some indoor settings. It became personal choice to wear them in places such as cinemas, community centres, gyms and museums. Despite that, the rules on wearing face coverings in retail and public transport remained in place.
But on Friday the Welsh Government will have a very big decision to make. At the start of this month First Minister Mark Drakeford said that if the situation remains "stable" that all legal restrictions will finally be removed on Monday, March 28. That means it will no longer be compulsory to wear face coverings in shops, on public transport, or in healthcare settings from that date and self-isolation will not be required by law.
Read more: The reasons why Covid infection rates are rising again in Wales
However, ministers will have to judge whether the situation is stable - and it's far from clear cut. Over the past fortnight the seven-day infection rate has been rising across Welsh communities and has now reached 304.5 cases for every 100,000 people (for the week to March 13). A fortnight earlier it was just over 150 cases per 100,000.
Similarly, the latest data on lateral flow tests, for the week to March 13, also shows a sharp increase in positive tests in Wales. There were 21,212 positive test results reported in the last seven days, up substantially from 12,288 the previous week. Meanwhile the latest ONS infection survey confirmed that an estimated 125,400 people in Wales, equivalent to one in 25, had Covid in the last reported week.
We asked our readers whether they think the Welsh Government should scrap plans to end face mask rules as Covid cases continue to rise. Here's what they said:
Dawn Mcqueen said she believes it's now "time for personal choice". She said: "Those with medical conditions are at risk every year. I have noticed in wales that the amount of people now not wearing masks has risen. It doesn’t make sense. I have been to theatres, cinema etc and no masks and [it has been] packed. Then you go to a supermarket or shops with hardly anyone in and you have to wear one and the staff are not wearing masks."
For Vicky Hancock, "common sense" should be applied to mask wearing. She wrote: "Maybe we should just learn to live with it! Common sense if You have a cold or any signs of something. Maybe then you should test, isolate or wear a mask instead of imposing restrictions on everyone else."
Whereas Gillian Griffiths said: "Just recovering from Covid-19 - not a nice experience! Thankfully I survived. Will continue to wear my mask and use sanitiser for however long it takes. Covid has not gone anywhere."
Similarly, Elizabeth Jackson wrote: "Wear a mask, it’s no biggie. You wear it for others, but it also helps to protect you by reducing the risk of inhaling droplet infection. Also if by wearing the mask reduces spreading the disease it reduces your risk of catching it. We all wear clothes just think of it as a fashion accessory."
Kelly McCarthy said: "I feel much safer wearing one also I haven't had a single cold since wearing a mask so it's got to be a good thing." Lisa Reynolds said: "They’ve been in place for far too long as it is. Let’s get back to life, more people have suffered from rules than Covid itself. We owe it to our children."
Simon Lent wrote: "Logical thinking is - ease restrictions more people go out more people interact so cases will rise, but surely this is beneficial to boost our natural immunity? I've had it twice a year apart and worked all through don't wear a mask only had one vaccine, and now two years on people still thinking about restrictions. What about other illnesses that need NHS attention but can't due to Covid wards popping up taking over other vital wards? When do we as humans decide enough is enough?..."
Sian Westcott said: "The sooner restrictions are lifted the better. If some people want to continue wearing masks, then that is up to the individual. When there is a new virus it will not totally be eradicated and we have to live with it."
Sheila Williams said: "We were in England last week. There were quite a number of people without masks but there were quite a number wearing them plus a number of shops asking people to put on a mask to go in the shop. I do not know what the answer is to this problem but I know we will still wear our mask where and wherever needs be."
Andrew Rutter said: "No. Covid isn't going anywhere, it will be with us for generations to come never mind how many lockdowns or rules that are put in place. Just like the flue and many others we need to live with it and get back to normal. If certain people for whatever reasons want to wear face masks and or isolate then that's freedom of choice surely."
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