Face coverings should become mandatory in higher risk public spaces, Plaid Cymru Shadow Health Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has said.

There has been growing scientific evidence and calls within the scientific community that suggests the risk of transmission is lowered with face coverings.

Mr ap Iorwerth said Wales should follow Scotland and make face masks compulsory on public transport and in shops and called on the Welsh Government to provide a “clear and unambiguous directive” on making face masks mandatory.

Today Professor Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society, said “everyone” should carry a face covering when they leave home in order to tackle coronavirus and that they should be worn "whenever you are in crowded public spaces".

Plaid Cymru Shadow Health Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,“Evidence continues to grow about the effectiveness of face coverings in limiting the transmission of the Coronavirus. Just as Scotland has now made face masks compulsory in shops and public transport, Welsh Government should provide a clear, unambiguous directive and make the wearing of face coverings a requirement in certain public places.

“We cannot become complacent as more restrictions are eased. The battle to bring down the transmission rate and stamp out the virus continues, and face coverings have a part to play in that.“

The Welsh Conservatives have also called for face masks to be worn in Wales with Darren Millar MS – the Shadow Covid Recovery Minister saying: "We support the mandatory use of face coverings to enable a more flexible approach to social distancing rules in Wales.

"As more people return to work and our high streets get busier, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain and enforce the current two-metre social distancing rules.

"In recognition of this, the Labour-led Welsh Government must act now to make the use of face coverings mandatory on public transport and for visiting shops."