AQW 27390/17-22


Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 14/12/2021
Answered On Date: 13/01/2022
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what the protocols are for the wearing of face coverings by everyone in primary care settings, including enforcement.


Answer:
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 “the Regulations” provide a legal requirement for a person entering publically accessible premises to use a face covering from 24th May 2021. A face covering must therefore be worn by anyone in an indoor setting accessible to the public across Northern Ireland unless that person has a reasonable exemption from the requirement under the Regulations.
GPs, as with all employers, have a duty to protect the health and safety of their staff and customers/patients. In relation to face coverings, this means that employers can choose to make a face covering a requirement of access to the goods or services provided. It is, however, recognised that some circumstances make it difficult for some people to wear face coverings.  In these circumstances people may have a 'reasonable excuse' not to wear a face covering. A list of these circumstances is available on NI Direct website: Coronavirus (COVID-19): face coverings | nidirect.
If someone does not wear a face covering and is not exempt or does not have a reasonable excuse for not wearing one, they are committing an offence and could be fined.
It is recommended that anyone who is exempt from wearing a face covering makes their GP practice aware of this in advance.
All staff in community, primary and secondary care must wear a face covering inside healthcare facilities and communal areas. The Public Health Agency website provides guidelines for staff in all HSC facilities and is available via this weblink: Staff guidelines on face coverings in all HSC facilities | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
In December 2021 updated UK-wide guidance on ‘Infection prevention and control for seasonal respiratory infections in health and care settings (including SARS-CoV-2) for winter 2021 to 2022’ was published and is available below:
Infection prevention and control for seasonal respiratory infections in health and care settings (including SARS-CoV-2) for winter 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The guidance notes that the use of face masks or face coverings across the UK is recommended in addition to social distancing and hand hygiene for staff, patients/individuals and visitors in both clinical and non-clinical areas to further reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. It also notes that patients in all care areas must be encouraged and supported to wear a face mask, providing it is tolerated and is not detrimental to their medical or care needs.