To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) when sector-specific advice will be provided to the taxi industry to confirm whether passengers are required to wear masks in taxis; and (ii) what support she will provide the industry to ensure those transporting special education needs pupils are informed of measures they are required to take to protect themselves and passengers from COVID-19.

As you will be aware the wearing of face coverings on public transport has been mandatory from 10 July. When the Executive agreed on 10 August to extend the requirement for mandatory face coverings to include certain indoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained, it was my understanding that this would include enclosed indoor places such as taxis and buses. I have subsequently written to the Minister for Health to confirm this.

You will note from the beginning of this crisis, I have consistently called for a societal approach to the use of face coverings to ensure that all steps are taken to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. I can assure you that it is my firm view that following Executive agreement on 10 August, that face coverings must be worn in all enclosed settings where social distancing cannot be maintained.

That said, while face coverings can offer protection to others, they are not a substitute for other protective measures and it is important that people continue to follow social distancing and wash or sanitise hands regularly.

Further information on face coverings can be found at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings

and on social distancing at:

www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/sites/default/files/Covid-19-Working-Through-This-Together.pdf

The transportation of pupils to school with special educational needs is the responsibility of the Department of Education. Further guidance on school transport can be found in Section 3 of the following: Re Opening Schools Guidance (August 2020)

and for special schools at: Supplementary Guidance for Re Opening Special Schools (August 2020) from the Department of Education.

The general public health advice is to reduce the number of passengers carried, avoid a passenger travelling alongside the driver and travel with windows lowered to increase passenger compartment ventilation.