To ask the Minister of Health whether a face shield visor meets the definition of face covering as set out in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.

Face covering means a covering of any type which covers a person’s nose and mouth. A face shield or visor may be used as a face covering, however my Department advises that cloth face coverings should be used as they provide better protection from the risk of infection from the virus that causes COVD-19. If a face shield or visor is to be worn, it should be used in combination with a cloth face covering for increased protection.

However, face coverings are not a substitute for other measures such as social distancing, hand hygiene, good respiratory etiquette and cleaning of shared contact surfaces, all of which remain critically important.