Amendment of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

2.—(1) The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020(1) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation)—

(a) in the definition of “relevant place”, after “listed in” insert “paragraph 1 of”;

(b) omit the definition of “shop” and “shopping centre”.

(3) In regulation 4A(2)(f), for “paragraph 3” substitute “paragraph 2”.

(4) After regulation 4A(2)(f), insert—

“(g) by a person leading a service in a place of worship or a place where beliefs are practised;

(h) by a couple at a ceremony to solemnise their marriage or to form their civil partnership;

(i) by a person performing physical exercise in a gym, leisure centre or similar venue.”.

(5) In the title to regulation 4C, for “Requirement to wear a face covering in other locations” substitute “Requirement to wear a face covering in other circumstances”.

(6) In regulation 4C (Requirement to wear a face covering in other circumstances), omit paragraphs (1) and (2).

(7) In regulation 5 for “For the purposes of regulation 4(1), 4A(1) or 4B(1),” substitute “For the purposes of regulation 4(1), 4A(1), 4B(1) or 4C,”.

(8) In regulation 6(1), for “regulation 4(1), 4A(1) or 4B(1),” substitute “regulation 4(1), 4A(1), 4B(1) or 4C,”.

(9) For the schedule substitute—

Regulation 2

“SCHEDULE Relevant places where face coverings must be worn

1.   Enclosed public areas of premises to which the public have or are permitted access.

2.— (1) Restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members’ clubs,

(2) cafes, including workplace canteens,

(3) bars, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs,

(4) public houses, and

(5) venues that sell or provide food or drink (including intoxicating liquor) and to which the public have or are permitted access.

3.   For the purposes of these regulations, premises are “enclosed” if they would be considered enclosed or substantially enclosed for the purposes of regulation 2 of the Smoke-free (Premises, Vehicle Operators and Penalty Notices) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.”.

(1)

S.R. 2020 No. 151 as amended by S.R. 2020 Nos. 164, 220, 233 and 253 and S.R. 2021 No. 96