Gorchuddion wyneb

11 March 2022

Dear

ATISN 16073 – Face Coverings

Thank you for your request to the Welsh Government for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) received on 11 February 2022.  You have requested the following:

To disclose all the scientific evidence relied upon in making decisions relating to the wearing masks during the pandemic from March 2020 to now (11 February 2022). 

Our response

The following Technical Advisory Group reports from March 2020 sets out the evidence about the effectiveness of face coverings and the risks and benefits:

Technical Advisory Group: updated advice on face coverings

Application of physical distancing and fabric face coverings in mitigating the B117 variant SARS-CoV-2 virus in public, workplace and community settings

Whilst this scientific and technical evidence is available, it is used alongside a variety of other social and economic factors when the government considers and decides on policy.

Next steps

If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response. Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at:

Information Rights Unit
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ 
or Email: Freedom.ofinformation@gov.wales

Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.

Yours sincerely