Face coverings required at all Hywel Dda hospitals and health care facilities

The Welsh Government has made it a legal requirement for face coverings to be worn in all indoor public places.

As such, Hywel Dda Health Board has introduced new measures in order to keep visitors, patients, and staff safe.

Effective immediately, all members of the public must wear a face covering before they enter any of our hospitals and health care facilities, unless they meet the criteria for not wearing a face covering.

Face coverings must cover the mouth and nose and when putting coverings on, the public is advised that they should only handle the straps, ties or clips. They should not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with mouth and nose. People should also wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitiser, before and after removing coverings.

Patients will be advised in their appointment letters of the need to attend the site with their own face covering.

Mandy Rayani, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at Hywel Dda Health Board, said: “These new measures have been introduced to protect visitors, patients and our staff. It is crucial for people to remember that Coronavirus has not gone away and remains a very serious illness, especially for the elderly and those with existing medical conditions. I would urge the public to remain vigilant and follow the rules, including keeping two metres away from others outside of their household bubble, as well as washing hands regularly, or using a hand sanitizer if hand washing is not possible.”