8th February 2021
Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, today (Monday, 8 February) called on shoppers to continue wearing face masks as part of the public health measures to help supress the virus, and out of respect for retail workers and fellow customers in essential stores.
Minister English said:
“Through my ongoing engagement with the retail sector, I am hearing still of a minority of people who refuse to wear face masks. By law, face coverings must be worn in certain settings, including retail outlets, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Wearing face coverings while shopping is mandatory and is part of a range of public health measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus including keeping physical distance, cleaning hands, and covering coughs and sneezes.
The Minister added:
“Keeping to these guidelines protects other shoppers and retail staff. Retail workers are among our essential workers and have ensured that supermarkets and other essential outlets have remained open throughout the pandemic.
“I’d ask everyone doing their shopping this week, and indeed at all times, to make that extra effort to adhere to the public health guidelines so that they can protect themselves, other shoppers and also our key workers in the retail sector.”
Find out more information about public health advice: www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/face-coverings-masks-and-covid-19/when-to-wear.html#when-to-wear
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