Shop worker says gardaí should set example on face coverings

A shopworker who was surprised by the sight of two uniformed Gardaí coming into a shop to get coffee asked the question: Are gardaí not required to wear masks?

A statement from the Garda Press Office said the regulations in place regarding face masks provide exemptions to members of An Garda Síochána in the course of performing their duties.

They lady who gave her name and details to The Anglo-Celt, but requested not to be identified, described how the two gardaí entered the Cootehill shop where she works without masks and bought two coffees.

“I don’t know what the regulations are regarding gardaí wearing masks, but it seems odd that we are asking people to wear masks, but the gardaí aren’t wearing them,” she said.

The shop has a self-service coffee area. “A lot of people come in and out of the shop. All the staff wear masks. There are a number of young people who work in the local factories who come in without masks. We have asked them to wear masks, but they often ignore us, it is a very difficult situation to be in,” she told theCelt.

The shop worker said the image of gardaí not wearing masks, while entering a shop, sends out a bad signal: “It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone. When you see two gardaí come in without masks, it’s not good. They are the ones supposed to be enforcing these rules. It sets a bad example.”

The impact of the pandemic is very relevant: “I have medical issues. 90% of the people who come into the shop comply with the mask regulations, but some don’t... We all want to keep it out of the area as much as possible. Masks play an important role in containing the virus.

“I have been in hospital, I know what it is like not to have any visitors. I don’t want a local lockdown, but if the people charged with upholding the regulations aren’t following them, then things will get worse,” the woman said.

In a statement on the matter the An Garda Síochána Press Office said they do not comment on anything that may identify an individual. In relation to the wearing of face coverings, the Minister of Health signed the Health Act 1947 (section 31a – temporary restrictions) (covid-19) (face coverings in certain premises and businesses) regulations 2020 on the August 10 and it remains in force until the October 5, 2020.

The statement from the press office said that the regulations provide exemptions gardaí in the course of performing their duties.

‘Members of An Garda Síochána will wear official-issue face coverings in situations where they are unable to maintain recommended social distancing and may be in close contact with people for more than 15 minutes.

‘Face coverings will be worn on busy public transport or in enclosed indoor public areas / confined spaces (ie retail outlets); while travelling in patrol cars in pairs (a maximum of two people have been assigned to a car); in situations where engineering controls (screens, etc) are not present, close contact is likely and social distancing is not possible.

‘Face coverings will not be worn in single occupancy patrol vehicles; on outdoor patrol duty, including on mountain-bikes / motorcycles; when social distancing can be maintained (for example, at checkpoints/open areas/foot patrols).’