Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 11th February, 2022.

I, STEPHEN DONNELLY, Minister for Health, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 5 and 31A (inserted by section 10 of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ) Act 2020 (No. 1 of 2020)) of the Health Act 1947 (No. 28 of 1947) and –

(a) having regard to the immediate, exceptional and manifest risk posed to human life and public health by the spread of Covid-19 and to the matters specified in subsection (2) of section 31A, and

(b) having consulted with the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media,

hereby make the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings – Extension of Period of Effect) Regulations 2022.

2. Regulation 2 of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 244 of 2020 ) is amended by the substitution of “28th day of February 2022” for “9th day of February 2022”.

3. Regulation 2 of 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 substitution of “28th day of February 2022” for “9th day of February 2022”.

4. Regulation 2 of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Small Public Service Vehicles and Certain Premises) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 569 of 2020 ) is amended, in paragraph (2), by the substitution of “28th day of February 2022” for “9th day of February 2022”.

5. Regulation 1 of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Certain Premises and Businesses) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 571 of 2020 ) is amended, in paragraph (2), by the substitution of “28th day of February 2022” for “9th day of February 2022”.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

7 February, 2022.

STEPHEN DONNELLY,

Minister for Health.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations amend the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 244 of 2020 ), 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 ), the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Small Public Service Vehicles and Certain Premises) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 569 of 2020 ), and the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Certain Premises and Businesses) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 571 of 2020 ) to provide that their operation is extended to 28^th February 2022.