Northern Ireland Face Coverings

Last Updated: Wednesday 24th May at 2.50pm

UPDATED: 24/5/21 – updated information regarding wearing a mask/face covering for the Return to Coach Contact Framework and the mandatory wearing of a face covering when going into or inside the public areas of any enclosed any publically-accessible premises. 

Masks and face coverings are an important measure to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and save lives. The links below provide information regarding the use of masks/face coverings within the gymnastics environment for gymnasts, coaches, staff, volunteers, adults assisting in sessions and spectators. It is important to wear a mask/face covering where required unless exempt. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others. 

The information below is correct as of 24/5/21. Please refer to and keep up-to-date on the latest government advice.

As a gymnast?

Mandatory	Encouraged	Not Required
		✓

The use of masks/face coverings is not recommended during sports activities. All forms of face coverings may restrict breathing efficiency and should not be used during exercise except on specific advice from a physician.  

Gymnasts can wear masks whilst not on apparatus, between time on apparatus, if they so wish, but masks should not be worn whilst on equipment or performing any form of gymnastics elements, including warm-ups/cool downs. 

Whilst coaching or assisting with a session?

This includes:
• Coaches
• Adults in pre-school sessions
• Helpers/Assistants

Mandatory	Encouraged	Not Required
✓ Coaches following the Return to Coach Contact Framework	✓ Assistants	✓ Coaches

Government guidance does not make it compulsory for coaches to wear a mask/face covering, but coaches can choose to wear one.

Masks/face coverings are not compulsory in a gym or other place where the purpose of attendance is physical exercise. Social distancing guidelines should be adhered to at all times.

For coaches following the Return to Coach Contact Framework (RTCC), a mask/face covering must be worn throughout all coach contact and manual support activities and phases (unless exempt). This must remain on throughout the contact or supported activity and may only be removed once a 2m distance has been adopted in between the coach/instructor and the gymnast.

On 24 May 2021, it became mandatory to wear a face covering when going into or inside the public areas of any enclosed any publically-accessible premises. You must now wear a face covering in:

• indoor play areas, including soft-play areas when not involved in physical exercise activity

You do not have to wear a face covering in a gym or other place where the purpose of your attendance is physical exercise. 

For those assisting within a session, it is compulsory to wear a mask/face covering, when not involved in physical exercise activity e.g. adults in pre-school sessions.

As a member of staff/volunteer?

For example, Non-Coaches roles e.g 
• Administrator
• Welfare Officers
• Receptionists

Mandatory	Encouraged	Not Required
✓ Workers in public enclosed areas	✓ In areas where social distancing can’t be maintained

On 24 May 2021, it became mandatory to wear a face covering when going into or inside the public areas of any enclosed, any publically-accessible premises.

People who work in the public areas of any enclosed publically-accessible premises must also wear a face covering, unless they are separated from members of the public by a partition.

Masks/face coverings are not compulsory in a gym or other place where the purpose of attendance is physical exercise. Social distancing guidelines should be adhered to at all times.

When not engaging in sport and physical activity staff and volunteers should be encouraged to wear masks in enclosed public areas where possible and practical.

Where staff are in areas not open to the public and a two-metre social distance from colleagues can be maintained a mask/face covering does not need to be worn.

Those under the age of 13 and individuals with a reasonable excuse (see further information) do not have to wear a face covering in a public indoor place.

You should assess the use of face coverings on a case by case basis depending on the workplace environment, other appropriate mitigations in place, and whether reasonable exemptions apply.

Spectators

This includes Parents, carers & other members of family watching, picking up/dropping off for a session

Mandatory	Encouraged	Not Required
✓ If not taking part in physical exercise

On 24 May 2021, it became mandatory to wear a face covering when going into or inside the public areas of any enclosed, any publically-accessible premises.

Masks/face coverings are not compulsory in a gym or other place where the purpose of attendance is physical exercise. Social distancing guidelines should be adhered to at all times.

It is compulsory for spectators to wear a mask/face covering, when not involved in physical exercise activity. As face coverings are compulsory in most other indoor settings you may want to review your risk assessments based on the layout and individual circumstances of your club, and potentially encourage over 13’s involved in a session to wear a face covering.

Those under the age of 13 and individuals with a reasonable excuse (see further information) do not have to wear a face covering in a public indoor place.

Further Information

On 24 May 2021, it became mandatory to wear a face covering when going into or inside the public areas of any enclosed, any publically-accessible premises. You may want to review your risk assessments based on the layout and individual circumstances of your club, and encourage over 13’s who are attending for physical exercise to wear a mask/face covering when entering and exiting the building.

There are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.

Exemptions:
You don’t have to wear a face covering:

• if you are under the age of 13
• if you are a member of staff and are behind a protective screen, or if you are in an area not open to the public and can maintain a two metre social distance from your colleagues
• if you have a reasonable excuse

Some circumstances make it difficult for some people to wear face coverings.  In these circumstances people may have a 'reasonable excuse' not to wear a face covering. For an update to date list of reasonable excuses see here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings

Exemption letters are not required to show that a face covering does not need to be worn.

If there is doubt over whether a face covering should be worn, it is advised to use one.

If you do not wear a face covering and you are not exempt or do not have a reasonable excuse for not wearing one, you are committing an offence and could be fined.