Seán Sherlock
Ceist:479. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if face masks will be included in the GMS payments system. [12202/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 June 2020
Ceisteanna (479)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
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.
Medical-grade face masks are not currently recommended for use by members of the general public. The NPHET keeps the position on the wearing of face coverings under continual review. Based on current advice, there are no plans at present to provide medical-grade face masks to medical cardholders.
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. A national communications campaign was launched on 15 June 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 which communicates to the public about:
- who should wear face coverings
- in what settings, and
- how to wear and remove face coverings correctly.