http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2021/291/madeThe Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) (No.7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021enGovernment Printer for Northern Ireland2021-10-28PUBLIC HEALTH These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 by removing the requirement for anyone to wear a face covering when eating or drinking in an indoor setting and when dancing. Regulations made by the Department of Health and laid before the Assembly under section 25Q (Emergency procedure) of the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967, for approval of the Assembly before the expiration of 28 days beginning with the day on which they are made. 2021 No. 291 Public Health The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) (No.7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 Made at 11.30 a.m. on 28th October 2021 Laid before the Assembly at 12.30 p.m. on 28th October 2021 Coming into operation at noon on 31st October 2021

The Department of Health, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 25C(1), (3)(c), (4)(d) and 25F(2) of the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967.

These Regulations are made in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the incidence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health considers that the restrictions and requirements imposed by these Regulations are proportionate to what they seek to achieve, which is a public health response to that threat.

 In accordance with section 25Q of that Act the Department of Health is of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make these Regulations without a draft having been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly. Citation and commencement 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) (No.7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 and shall come into operation at noon on 31st October 2021. 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 are amended as follows— 3 At the end of regulation 4A(2)(j) omit “or”. 4 In Regulation 4A(2)(k) omit “seated” and for the full stop after “(including intoxicating liquor)” substitute “; or”. 5 After Regulation 4A(2)(k) insert— l by a person dancing in a relevant place. . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health at 11.30 am on 28th October 2021 (L.S.) Sir Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 by removing the requirement for anyone to wear a face covering when eating or drinking in an indoor setting and when dancing.

No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations.

 Formerly the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; see 2016 c. 5 (N.I.), s.1(5). 1967 c. 36 (N.I.). Part 1A was inserted by section 48 of, and Schedule 18 to, the Coronavirus Act 2020 (c.7). S.R. 2020 no.151 as amended by S.R. 2020 Nos. 164, 220, 233 and 253 and S.R. 2021 No. 96, 131, 216, 219, 250 and 274.