From next Monday, it will be mandatory to wear masks at livestock marts.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the wearing of masks in marts will be mandatory from next Monday, 24th August.

However, marts will be exempt from the new Covid-19 restrictions in relation to numbers in indoor spaces.

There were concerns that the reduction in indoor numbers from 50 to 6 people would apply to marts, but the Department of Agriculture told the Farmers Journal that, according to its understanding, the restriction does not apply to gatherings such as marts, where separate rules and protocols already apply.