Requirement to wear face covering when travelling by small public service
vehicle
4. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not, without reasonable
excuse, use or travel by small public service vehicle within a relevant
geographical location without wearing a face covering.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to -
(a) a person under the age of 13 years,
(b) a member of the Garda Síochána in the course of performing his
or her duties, or
(c) a person using or travelling by small public service vehicle when
–
(i) there is no other person in the vehicle, or
(ii) the vehicle is not being driven or used for the carriage of
passengers for reward.
(3) Paragraph (1) is a penal provision for the purposes of section 31A of the
Health Act 1947 (No. 28 of 1947).
Requirement to ensure face coverings are worn by passengers
5. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person who is the driver of a small public
service vehicle shall take reasonable steps, when the vehicle is being used for
the carriage of passengers for hire or reward within a relevant geographical
location, to ensure that each such passenger is wearing a face covering.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in respect of a passenger who –
(a) is under the age of 13 years, or
(b) has reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering.
Reasonable excuse
6. Without prejudice to the generality of what constitutes reasonable excuse
for the purposes of Regulation 4(1), a person has reasonable excuse if -
(a) the person cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering -
(i) because of any physical or mental illness, impairment, or
disability, or
(ii) without severe distress,
4 [569]
(b) the person needs to communicate with a person who has
difficulties communicating (in relation to speech, language or
otherwise),
(c) the person removes the face covering to provide emergency
assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person,
(d) the person removes the face covering to avoid harm or injury, or
the risk of harm or injury, or
(e) the person removes the face covering in order to, and only for the
time required to, take medication.
Amendment of Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions)
(Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Certain Premises and Businesses)
Regulations 2020
7. Part A of the Schedule to the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary
Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Certain Premises and Businesses)
Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 296 of 2020) is amended by the insertion of the
following paragraphs after paragraph 7:
“8. Bus Stations.
9. Rail Stations.”.
GIVEN under my Official Seal,
2 December, 2020.
STEPHEN DONNE