Outdoor dining is back in full swing for the summer.
Staff of bars and restaurants have had to up their safety regulations and all are required to wear a face covering.
While we are free to enjoy a meal and drinks at our table mask-free, anytime we aren’t seated we have to wear a face covering too.
But are the breathable clear plastic visors a good option to protect ourselves and others from Covid?
The HSE has warned against opting to wear visors and face shields against Covid-19.
According to the Department of Public Health Mid-West, “visors and face shields do not contain the spread of droplets or aerosols as well as medical or cloth face coverings.”
In a tweet yesterday, the department said that employees at work would ideally be donning the blue medical face masks that can be disposed of after use.
“We would urge all businesses to keep sufficient stock of these masks for staff,” they said.
As for visors and face shields, they said that “they should only be worn if you have an illness or impairment that makes wearing a face covering difficult.”
The department has also warned that “in the event of a suspected outbreak, the wearing of a face shield would not be considered adequate protection.”
The HSE website advises that masks are not recommended for those who have trouble breathing or are unable to remove it without help, so a visor will offer some protection.
But for the rest of us, masks are the best option when we are out and about.
