The wearing of face coverings in marts, has not as of yet, been made mandatory as it has for users of public transport and retail outlets, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed.
In a statement released to That’s Farming, today (Wednesday, July 22nd), a spokesperson said: “Marts are operating protocols that include recording individuals attending and leaving mart premises and also recording details of individuals who visit the trading area/sales ring in case future contact tracing is deemed necessary by HSE tracing teams.”
“Attendees at a mart must observe the HSE guidelines regarding social distancing when visiting a mart premises and mart management are responsible for ensuring that the HSE guidelines are implemented.”
“Individuals either visiting or working at a mart may wear face coverings if they choose to, but where this happens, it is on a voluntary basis.”
Next phase
“If Government decide to broaden the guidance on wearing face coverings as part of the phase4 advice due before August 10th [to] include a requirement that face coverings must be worn by attendees at marts, DAFM will require mart managements nationally to add that requirement to their current safe sales standard operating procedures.” the statement concluded.
