Spit hoods used by PSNI not effective in preventing spread of Covid-19

Amnesty International has called on the PSNI to stop using spit hoods as they do not provide effective protection against Covid-19.

The PSNI began using the controversial spit guards in March in an effort to help fight the spread of the virus.

However it has since emerged the manufacturer says the hoods do not offer “effective” protection against coronavirus, as they do not stop droplets from coughing or sneezing.

The human rights body is now calling on the Police Federation to retract a recommendation that every officer should carry the hoods during the pandemic, and suspend roll-out following the admission.

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said the PSNI had issued spit and bite guards as a temporary measure for use during the pandemic.

In correspondence with Amnesty, the PSNI revealed that the manufacturers confirmed the spit hoods do not provide effective protection stating: "The product will not prevent aerosols from coughing or sneezing and is therefore not an effective means to prevent Covid-19."

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson concluded: "We will continue to review this position in light of all available information."

The Police Federation for England and Wales has insisted that the hoods do stop disease being passed on when bodily fluids contaminate surfaces, even if they cannot stop it being passed on by aerosol means.

Since introduction in March spit and bite guards have been used 29 times in Northern Ireland.

As is procedure, each incident has been reported to the Police Ombudsman.