Joan Collins
Question:164. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider making the use of face masks mandatory in indoor public spaces (details supplied). [16324/20]
View answerThursday, 16 July 2020
Questions (164)
Written answers
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published a range of guidance documents outlining the infection prevention and control procedures that apply in various healthcare settings. This includes the use of various types of personal protective equipment including those that might be described as facemasks. These guidance documents are available on the HPSC website at www.hpsc.ie.
More generally, in respect of the use of face coverings by the public and in public places, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) provided guidance in relation to face coverings in its advice to Government in relation to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business & Society on 4 June. As part of the continuing review of the evidence relating to face coverings, at its meeting on 15 July 2020, NPHET has updated its advice.
The NPHET advice sets out circumstances under which the wearing of a non-medical face covering is recommended. These are when using busy public transport, when in indoor public areas including retail outlets, by people visiting the homes of those who are cocooning, by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are cocooning, all visitors to residential care facilities and in indoor work environments where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance. The wearing of face coverings in other environments should accommodate individual judgement or preference or where it is difficult to maintain a 2-metre distance.
It is important to emphasise that the wearing of face coverings is an additional hygiene measure and should not take the place of good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other personal protective public health measures. Face coverings should be used properly, in line with the guidance and to wash hands before putting them on and taking them off.
On the 15th June, the Government and the National Transport Authority launched a national communications campaign which outlines best practice for the use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations in which it is difficult to maintain social distancing or where this distance cannot be guaranteed, and are communicating to the public about:
- who should wear face coverings
- in what settings, and how to wear and remove face coverings correctly.
Guidance on how to make and safely use face coverings is available on gov.ie/facecoverings and the HSE website.
On Friday 10th July the Minister for Health having consulted with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Justice and Equality, signed the Health Act (Covid-19)(Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020. The regulations provide that, from 13 July 2020, members of the public shall not, without reasonable excuse, travel by public transport without wearing a face covering.
Reasonable excuse includes where a person:
- cannot put one on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress
- needs to communicate with another person who has difficulties communicating
- removes the face covering to provide emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person
- removes the face covering to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury
- removes the face covering to take medication
The regulations do not apply to children under the age of 13 years.
Following further advice of NPHET, at its meeting of the 15 July 2020, the Government also agreed to the mandatory wearing of face coverings in retail outlets, shops and shopping centres. Retail staff will also be obliged to wear a face covering unless there is a partition between them and members of the public or where there is a distance of 2 metres between them and members of the public. Work on the development of relevant Regulations has commenced.
It is important to note that the public health advice relating to Covid-19, including that relating to face coverings, is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team.