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Some masks protecting healthcare staff against coronavirus were not properly tested, Northern Ireland\u2019s Public Health Agency (PHA) has said.<\/p>\nSome masks protecting healthcare staff against coronavirus were not properly tested, Northern Ireland\u2019s Public Health Agency (PHA) has said.<\/p>\n
UK fitting requirements were not followed by an independent contractor but any risk to staff is likely to be low, the PHA added.<\/p>\n
It has been asked by the Department of Health to undertake a serious adverse incident review.<\/p>\n
The agency said: \u201cAdditional measures across the health and social care system will be put in place to review and monitor fit-testing outcomes moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff impacted will be informed and offered support.<\/p>\n
\u201cFit-testing will be carried out under the correct Northern Ireland setting.\u201d <\/p>\n
The contractor which tested masks on some occasions inadvertently applied a fit-testing setting not normally used in Northern Ireland, the PHA said.<\/p>\n
It said this should have been readjusted to the UK fit-testing requirements designed to prevent leaks.<\/p>\n
The PHA added: \u201cWe fully recognize that the issues raised may cause some concern and we very much regret that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would again stress that these checks are being taken as a precautionary step to reassure staff that the masks are being fitted to the highest safety standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cRigorous tried and tested procedures have been in place during the pandemic for staff to highlight any concerns if they feel their PPE equipment does not properly fit.\u201d <\/p>\n
The rate of spread of the infection has fallen significantly in recent weeks in Northern Ireland and groups of up to six people can now meet indoors.<\/p>\n
One more death in the North was reported on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, new guidance was published which will enable the tourism and hospitality sectors to open as safely as possible, economy minister Diane Dodds said.<\/p>\n
Stormont\u2019s Executive has announced that, depending on the rate of infection, caravan parks, camping sites and self-catering tourist accommodation would be able to reopen on Friday.<\/p>\n
Hotels and other tourist accommodation would be able to reopen from July 3 along with restaurants, cafes and coffee shops.<\/p>\n
Pubs and bars can also open from July 3 for the provision of food, and also trade in their beer gardens on a table service basis.<\/p>\n
The guidance \u2013 entitled Working Safely During Covid-19 in the Visitor Economy \u2013 is aimed at business owners, operators and workers in hotels and other tourist accommodation.<\/p>\n
The minister also announced that there will be a new industry standard and consumer mark developed by national tourist boards across the UK.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland Hotels Federation chief executive Janice Gault said: \u201cThe industry has gone through a period of considerable change and is keen to return to trading with the appropriate safety measures in place, and in a manner which is Covid-19 compliant.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important that we mitigate the risk of spreading the virus.\u201d Hospitality Ulster chief executive Colin Neill said the guidance aided preparations for reopening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe entire industry has been dealt the biggest body blow for a generation and for many business owners it has swept the feet from under them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now hopefully emerging from that extremely difficult period.\u201d<\/p>\n