O’neill faces up to wearing a mask while out shopping
DEPUTY First Minister Michelle O’neill heralded face masks as the new look for hitting the shops.
The Sinn Fein MLA urged the public to play their part in defeating Covid-19 as she posted a picture of herself in a shop wearing a face covering.
Confusion around the Executive’s fudge on coverings deepened yesterday, with ministers and MLAS continuing to send out mixed messages.
The Executive said it has given itself powers to make the wearing of coverings in stores mandatory from August 1 but that it will not enforce that law until August 20 in the hope people will wear them voluntarily.
Health Minister Robin Swann said he remains unconvinced people will wear masks without being forced to do so.
In a statement issued by the SDLP yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said there should be a clear message that the public “must” wear a face covering when in enclosed spaces where social distancing could not be maintained.
The party’s deputy leader said it was vital to protect the 98,000 people who have been shielding from the virus.
“We must look out for each other and act to keep each other safe from Covid-19,” she said.
The wearing of masks is already mandatory on public transport.
Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong told BBC’S Nolan Show she believed wearing a face mask was compulsory from yesterday.
She said: “We need clarification on the masks, we need people to wear them and from today if you’re going to a shop you need to put on a face mask.
“What we need people to understand is if you’re going into a shop, wear a face mask, where social distancing cannot happen, wear a face mask.”
Mr Swann, meanwhile, said the advice was clear — a day after his 29-minute U-turn.
A statement in which Mr Swann welcomed the “mandatory”useoffacecoveringswassent out in error on Thursday, with a second release merely welcoming the campaign to encourage use.
Retail groups Retail NI and the Belfast Chamber had said they were concerned about shop workers being left having to enforce the wearing of coverings — leaving them open to abuse from non-compliant customers.
The PSNI was asked by the
Belfast Telegraph what role, any, it would take.
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Sam Donaldson said: “Once we have full details of any new legislation we will issue officers with guidance.”
Mr Swann said yesterday: “It should not be a surprise to anyonethatattimestherearedifferent views, both in wider society and around the Executive table, and that compromises are often required.
“However, there is a strong consensus face coverings should be worn in shops and other indoor settings. The key issue here is how best this can be achieved.
“I appreciate the debate over whetherandwhenthisshouldbe mandatory has taken up a lot of air time. That should not distract
if from the responsibility on all of us to cover up every time we go to the shops.”
Mr Swann said his views on the subject are on the record and have not changed.
“I remain unconvinced that the necessary level of compliance will be achieved without some element of enforcement. That said, I would be delighted to be proved wrong on that front. The onus is on everyone on all sides of the debate to work together to achieve our shared objective.
“I welcome the fact that the Executive has agreed to introduce the power to enforce a mandatory position from August 20. Make no mistake — if I believe enforcement is needed from August 20, then I will not step back from making that happen.”