Do I have to wear a face covering/mask?

Most people are now being asked to wear face coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 from person to person.

You do not have to wear a face covering if you;

• Are under the age of 13;

• Are an employee working behind a partition, or if you are in an area not open to the public and can maintain 2 metre social distance from your colleagues; or,

• Have a reasonable excuse not to.

The use of face coverings is now required in all indoor settings accessible to the public across Northern Ireland. This includes shops, shopping centres, public, private and school transport services, taxis, airplanes, public transport stations and airports, banks, churches, cinemas, and some government offices. You must wear a face covering in these places unless you have a reasonable excuse for not wearing one, such as:

• When seeking medical assistance or to provide care to someone who needs assistance, such as a vulnerable person or in an emergency
• If you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or 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
• When travelling with or caring for someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
• If you need to remove it to avoid harm or injury to yourself or others
• When eating, drinking, or to take medication
• When asked to remove your face covering by a police officer or someone who may need to check your identity, for example, when buying alcohol or at the bank.

If you do not wear a face covering and you are not exempt or do not have a reasonable excuse for not wearing one, you are committing an offence and could be fined.

Regulations on wearing face coverings.

For more information you can contact us on 08088085678, email ree@childrenslawcentre.org or online at REE Live Chat.