Mask Wearing and Visiting Restrictions Reintroduced Across Our Hospitals
Monday 29th December 2025
We continue to see a large number of winter illnesses and infections across our sites. We ask everyone visiting our hospitals to keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face mask .
The Health Board is urging everyone to play their part in keeping patients and communities safe by:
- Wearing a mask when attending any hospital site
- Washing hands regularly
- Getting your vaccination for flu, RSV and COVID-19 boosters if you are eligible- It is never too late.
These measures are vital to protect patients and staff during the winter months. We would like to thank everyone for their assistance in helping keep our communities safe.
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has reintroduced mask wearing and tightened visiting rules across its hospital sites following a sharp rise in winter illnesses and infection rates.
Back in October 2025, due to increasing levels of illness in our hospitals we needed to introduce mask wearing and visiting restrictions. We then stepped down these restrictions when illness levels decreased, but now another rise in infections means we need to reintroduce measures to keep people safe.
This situation is not unique to Gwent. Similar precautions are being introduced across other parts of Wales and the UK as health services respond to the early and rapid spread of winter illnesses in communities and hospitals.
Mask wearing in our hospitals
From today, all staff, patients and visitors must wear face masks when entering hospital sites, wards, Emergency Departments, Minor Injury Units (MIUs) and all clinical settings. Masks will be available at the entrances to wards and clinical areas.
The decision comes as hospitals across the region experience increased cases of flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. These measures are essential to protect vulnerable patients and reduce the risk of transmission.
Visiting with a Purpose
Alongside mask wearing, the Health Board is asking people to limit attendance with patients wherever possible and to avoid visiting if they have symptoms of illness. For wards or bays closed due to outbreaks, visiting will only be allowed for specific reasons, including:
- Visiting someone who is critically ill or at the end of life
- Supporting a patient who needs assistance
- Attending in a carer’s role
- Being present for significant discussions about care, treatment or discharge
Keeping yourself and others safe
The Health Board is urging everyone to play their part in keeping patients and communities safe by:
😷 Wearing a mask when attending any hospital site
🧼 Washing hands regularly
💉 Getting your vaccination for flu, RSV and COVID-19 boosters if you are eligible
These measures are vital to protect patients and staff during the winter months. We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in helping keep our communities safe.