To ask the Minister of Education what agreement is in place with the Department for Infrastructure for students that will be travelling on the Strangford ferry whether (i) they have to wear masks; and (ii) what social distancing will be required.

The Department for Infrastructure announced on 25 August that from 1 September that as school traffic returns, an “off schedule” service will be in operation on weekday early mornings 7:30 – 9:00am and late afternoons 4:00 – 5:00pm when required. Therefore additional foot passenger only services aimed at school children will depart at 8:10am from Portaferry and 4:00pm from Strangford. These sailings have been coordinated with designated school bus transport to and from Strangford.

The wearing of a face covering on these sailings is mandatory for those aged 13 and over and all pupils will be required to maintain a 1 metre plus social distance on board.