"IT'S COME too late" was the message that came from Mold shoppers about mandatory use of face masks.

On the day the ruling of mandatory use of face masks in public places in Wales came into effect, the Leader took to Mold High Street to get the views of local shoppers and workers.

The general mood is one of frustration that it has taken the Welsh Government so long to bring the law on face masks in line with the rest of the UK.

Former Mold mayor Carol Heycocks and husband John said: "They're (face masks) hot and uncomfortable to wear, especially on hot days like today (Monday), but we think it's absolutely essential to wear them in shops and on public transport.

"You can definitely see a difference in the amount of people wearing them even out on the street - as a lot of people keep them on even when outside as people are going from shop to shop and it's a faf to keep taking them off and putting them on again."

The Leader: Former Mold mayor Carol Heycocks and husband John. Former Mold mayor Carol Heycocks and husband John.

Katrina McLaren-Pritchard, from Flint, shared similar views.

She said: "I'm quite happy to wear one, the ruling should have come in much sooner, probably the same time they were made mandatory in England.

"But the fact Wales and England have had different rules on a lot of the Covid legislation has proved very problematic. For people who listen and follow the changes it's not confusing but there are plenty of ignorant people out there who don't follow or keep track of the news.

"The UK and Welsh Government should have known this and kept it as simple as possible."

Elicia Turner, a 19-year-old Subway worker, said: "Before there was hardly anyone wearing face masks in Mold and now everyone is. If they (the government) had brought the rule in several months ago I really think we wouldn't have been in this position where so many people have contracted and spread the virus.

"But it's certainly better late than never. I work in Subway and feel so much safer and more comfortable serving customers who are all wearing face masks."

Alison Searle, from Buckley, said: "I think it's (face mask ruling) happened too late I'm pleased they've brought it in now but we're out sync with the rest of the UK.

"In terms of why it hasn't been introduced sooner, I'm sure the Welsh Government was following its own scientific advice but I feel they got it wrong, it should have come in sooner.

"I know they say people who wear face masks act irresponsibly like they suddenly have total immunity, but the people who don't or haven't been wearing them are the truly irresponsible ones."

The Leader: Alison Searle, from Buckley, said the move to make wearing face masks mandatory has come too late. Alison Searle, from Buckley, said the move to make wearing face masks mandatory has come too late.

Annette and Conrad McCarthey, from Wrexham, said: "It seems way too late, why wait until hundreds of thousands of people have had the virus before bringing this law into effect?

"It's good the law's been changed but it's too little, too late."

The Leader: Annette and Conrad McCarthey and son Charlie. Annette and Conrad McCarthey and son Charlie.