
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 and shall come into operation on 9th April 2021.
2 

(1) The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 2, in the definition of “enclosed shopping centre”, omit “enclosed”.
(3) In regulation 3, after “the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020” insert “and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020”.
(4) After regulation 4B insert—“
4C. 

(1) A person (other than a person leading a service) entering or remaining within a place of worship or a place where beliefs are practised, must, unless there is a reasonable excuse, wear a face covering.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a couple at a ceremony to solemnise their marriage or to form their civil partnership.
(3) A person providing a close contact service as defined in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 must wear, and take reasonable steps to ensure that a person receiving the service wears, a face covering unless—
(a) a person has a reasonable excuse not to do so, or
(b) it is necessary not to wear a face covering due to the nature of the service.”.
(5) In regulation 6 (Enforcement of requirement), after sub-paragraph (8)(b)(ii), insert—“
(iii) insofar as it relates to the enforcement of regulation 4, operators of a passenger transport service and their employees and agents.”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health at 8.00 pm on 8th April 2021
(L.S.)Dr Naresh Chada
A senior officer of the Department of Health
