FACE COVERINGS: 'the new normal within weeks in NI'
Leading GP believes wearing 'masks' is good practice
Last updated 15th Jul 2020
One of Northern Ireland's highest-profile GPs believes face coverings should be worn inside shops.
And Dr Tom Black is predicting that this will be become normal practice across the province in the next few weeks.
The British Medical Association chair was speaking to Downtown Radio & Cool FM after a decision to make the wearing of face coverings in shops in England mandatory from July 24.
By then, police there will also be able to issue £100 fines if shoppers refuse to wear them
The NI Executive is due to review the issue this week and decide whether to bring in a similar compulsory move.
Dr Black says as we move out of lockdown, it makes sense to change our actions.
He said " We have less Covid virus in the community and less chance of getting the infection - but as we move out of lockdown and open up there is more risk of being closer to people and catching the virus - so it's a good idea to wear a face covering or mask.
"The areas where we want to be wearing face masks or coverings is when we are inside and struggle to maintain social distance. So for example if you're in a shop and have people moving about it makes sense to wear a mask.
"I''ve been wearing one for the past few weeks now when I'm out in the supermarkets and I think it is a good idea to help keep everyone safe."
Dr Black believes it is all about trust when making decisions.
He added " I think it's up to the Executive to make this mandatory and it would be difficult for retailers to police that. However the public here have been really sensible throughout this pandemic and I would expect the wearing of face masks to become normal in the next few weeks.
"So i think we should trust the public to wear them and not put the responsibility onto retailers to enforce it if it became a rule."
Meanwhile Retail NI has urged the Executive to clarify if it plans to make the wearing of face mask mandatory in Northern Ireland.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
âWith England and Scotland making it mandatory to wear face masks in shops, we need the Executive to clarify if it plans to do the same.
âRetailers in Northern Ireland have always had the safety of their staff and customers as their top priority and will always follow the science to ensure they play their role in avoiding a second waveâ
âShould the Executive introduce the compulsory wearing of face masks, then retailers and their staff should not be enforcing nor policing such rules. We have already had incidents of shop staff trying to police social distancing being abused by a small minority of customersâ
âIf it is introduced in Northern Ireland, like England, the police should enforce the regulationsâ
âRetail NI members have spent huge sums of money installing perspex screens and adapting their stores to comply with social distancing regulations. They fully appreciate their role in combating Covid-19 and will continue to do so in the months aheadâ