Should face masks be mandatory when visiting hospitals?

Welsh Labour politicians think so. In Wales from Monday face coverings will be mandatory on public transport.

No Welsh Government recommendation has been made for visitors to wear them in hospitals, although a health board in north Wales is encouraging their use.

Labour’s Lynne Neagle said hospitals should not be having to do that. The Welsh Government was asked to comment.

Ms Neagle’s call for masks to be compulsory is backed by her Labour colleague Alun Davies, the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Blaenau Gwent.

It emerged at the weekend that north Wales health board Betsi Cadwaladr is “actively” encouraging patients, visitors and staff at NHS sites to wear a face mask, after a spike in coronavirus cases.

They are currently only mandatory on buses, trains and taxis for people 11 and over, and need to be three layers thick.

The Welsh Conservatives called on Saturday for masks to be compulsory for hospital visits.