We must plot a sensible course, avoiding complacency and panic Face coverings: all you need to know as masks indoors become mandatory
The headlines in recent days have understandably caused deep concern. We have seen a rise in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases, the R number increasing and a delay in the reopening of non-food serving pubs.
These developments underline the stark reality that the coronavirus is not fading away. It is here for the long term and remains highly infectious. It needs no second invitation to spread.
The people of Northern Ireland have done really well in terms of following public advice during this pandemic. Many younger people put their lives on hold to protect their parents and grandparents. Many people at most risk shielded for many months and many people saw their livelihoods suffer. Great sacrifices have been made and many lives have been saved as a result.
But there have been worrying signs that fatigue has led to carelessness and that some complacency might be creeping in.
We remain deeply concerned that Covid-19 cases could peak sharply here in the autumn or winter. Whether this happens or not is up to us all. The virus doesn’t have a plan — its spread depends on our actions.
The consequences for many individuals and for our health service could be extremely serious — not least because health and social care provision is always especially fragile during winter.
However, we should not be defeatist about the months ahead.
As ever, the challenge involves plotting a sensible course between complacency and panic.
With a sustained collective effort across society, we can stay on top of the situation. We can keep protecting ourselves and others, especially those most vulnerable to the virus.
We now know much more about Covid-19. We have built up our testing and contact tracing infrastructure and we have some more effective treatments. This remains a vicious virus which can be lethal for many and we need to protect them.
As ever, everyone at all levels of the health and social care system will do their best to keep the population as safe as possible. They will not be found wanting. Now that the clapping has stopped, please continue to protect our health service and staff by doing the right thing.
Every citizen has to play their part. That means following five key steps:
n Watch your distance: Keeping your distance remains essential when you are out and about. Remember, the virus doesn’t spread itself. People spread it.
n Wash hands well and frequently: This is particularly important after touching hard surfaces.
n Wear face coverings in enclosed spaces and where social distancing is difficult: This is now legally required for certain indoor settings, including shops. Don’t be a droplet spreader. And when you are not wearing a face covering, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
n Co-operate with the Test, Trace and Protect programme in terms of getting tested and self-isolating when required.
n Download the STOPCOVID NI proximity app to support contact tracing and help break chains of transmission.
Given what we have been through as a society this year already, these five steps are surely not beyond us all.
Watch, wash, wear. We really must do it to get through it. This is a responsibility on all of us.
Qwhat do the rules say?
A From Monday, the use of face coverings in certain indoor settings, such as shops or shopping centres, will be mandatory.
Q Will I be fined or punished if I don’t comply?
A In theory yes, in practice it is highly unlikely. It is unclear who — if anyone — will enforce the new regulations.
The Department of Health said breaches “could attract a fixed penalty notice of £60 (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days)”. But the PSNI has said its officers will not enforce the wearing of masks, but will “engage, explain and encourage people to make the right choices”.
Wearing a face covering has been mandatory on public transport for almost a month, but no fines have been issued. It is unclear if the PSNI has even spoken to anyone about non-compliance. Retail unions have said their members will not enforce the rule. Major retailers in England and Scotland have not challenged shoppers either. Q What should I do when I see people not wearing face coverings?
A Nothing. Official guidance urges shoppers not to challenge anyone who does not cover up. It states: “It is important that we all respect one another and remember that the reasons for not wearing a face covering may not always be visible.” Q Who does not have to wear a face mask?
A Exemptions include if you are under the age of 13, if you are an employee of the shop or shopping centre, temporarily if a member of staff or employee or a police officer asks you to remove it to check your identity, if you have a reasonable excuse not to. Q What is a reasonable excuse?
A Guidelines outline a range of circumstances where people may have a ‘reasonable excuse’ not to wear a face covering in a shop or shopping centre, such as if it is distressing or you have a relevant medical condition. These include:
To seek medical assistance or to provide care to someone who needs assistance
To avoid injury, illness or escape from harm
If you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
If travelling with, or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
If you need to remove it to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
To eat, drink, or take medication
If you are asked to remove your face covering by a police officer or other official. Q What if I cannot wear a face covering? A There is no need to get a letter from a doctor or the government to show that you do not need to wear a face covering.
If you have a condition which means you cannot wear a face covering you only need to say, if asked, that you cannot wear a face covering because you are exempt. Q Where should I wear a face covering?
A From Monday, it is mandatory to wear a face covering in “a relevant place”, which the Department of Health defines as generally meaning “a shop or shopping centre”.
It adds “As well as ordinary day to day shopping for items such as clothes, food or electrical goods, a face covering is required in any other indoor place where goods or services are available to buy or rent. This includes, for example, a bookmakers, a food takeaway business or a dry cleaner.”
Q Where do I not need to wear a face covering?
A It is not mandatory to wear a face covering in a business that is able to maintain social distancing by using a system of ticketing or appointments. This might include, for example, a cinema, a hairdresser or a solicitor’s office. You do not have to wear a face covering in a bank or a business that operates like a bank. The guidance accepts there are circumstances where it is not possible to wear a face covering. These include:
Where you are eating or drinking in a restaurant, pub or cafe.
If you are a customer of a food takeaway business, or a shop that sells food or drink for immediate consumption, and it provides seating for customers, you may remove your face covering while eating and drinking.