Question reference: S5W-32049
- Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 24 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 2 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the National Deaf Children’s Society's campaign to widen access to clear face coverings in order to improve communication with deaf people, while still protecting the public from COVID-19.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware that where face coverings and face masks are worn there may be additional challenges for those who are deaf or rely on lip-reading, as well as others with different communication needs. I understand the National Deaf Children’s Society #keepitclear campaign focuses on the importance of both clear masks and clear communication for deaf children.
The Scottish Government has worked to support Scottish manufacturers to produce transparent face coverings. We know of several instances where transparent face coverings are in use in education settings and local authorities have been made aware that transparent face coverings are available through existing procurement routes.
Transparent face coverings may offer benefits in certain circumstances to people with different communication needs, however there are exemptions to the mandatory use of face coverings which include those who are communicating with someone who lip-reads. In these circumstances, Scottish Government guidance states that hands should be washed or sanitised before removing face coverings and a distance of two metres should be maintained whilst communicating. The Scottish Government has run social media campaigns to raise awareness of exemptions to mandatory face coverings.