Museum adds satirical ‘No Mask, No Wales’ poster to Covid collection

A museum is adding a satirical poster, which warned people that mask wearing rules are different to England in Wales, to its Covid collection.

The St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff is including the image of a Welsh flag flying on a hillside with the message ‘No Mask, No Wales’, in its digital archive.

Underneath it states: “If you’re visiting us this summer, wear a mask. Wales isn’t England. Our laws are different.”

The original Twitter post was designed by social media expert Owen Williams.

It prompted a tsunami of angry responses from people who did not like being told that the rules are different in Wales.

National Museum Wales said: “Diolch! Thanks @OwsWills for allowing us to archive a digital copy of *that* poster for the Covid collection at @StFagans_Museum.

“Please take-part in the #CollectingCovid questionnaire to add your pandemic experiences to the national collection.”

In response Williams said: “This may well be the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me on Twitter.”

‘Professionally Welsh’

Williams, who describes himself as professionally Welsh, told Nation.Cymru most people had recognised the poster as a parody.

He said: “It took me twenty minutes to make, and to be clear it’s satire! But also, it has a serious message: Wales and England are different.”

Some of the comments about the fake poste included: “It’s provocative and I feel its nationalistic when we rely on the English pound to drive our economy.”

Another said: “Actually most of your laws are English and the union between England and Wales has never properly been repealed since Henry 8th. You’re still part of England.”

The poster has also attracted a lot of praise.

Rob Harris said: “I’m looking forward to travelling to Wales (and Scotland) this summer. I will gladly follow the rules, as I would when visiting any other country in the world. Not only is this about keeping us safe; it’s about respect.”

Richard Martin said: “Legendary work once more. Parch.”

In Wales face coverings continue to be compulsory for public transport and shops wile the UK government has made it advisory in England.