Face coverings set to remain in Scotland

The requirement to wear a mask on public transport and in certain indoor setting is set to remain for at least another two weeks – after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a delay in the planned relaxing of mask restrictions.

Giving an update to the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon said it was “prudent” for the laws requiring face coverings to remain in place given the “current spike in case numbers”.

The First Minister told the parliament that in the week to 6 March, one in 18 people in Scotland had Covid.

Sturgeon also highlighted that three weeks ago, an average of 6,900 new cases a day were being reported, and the average has now jumped to just over 12,000 a day.

There has also been a rise in the number of people who are in hospital with Covid, nearly doubling from 1,060 three weeks ago, to 1,996 today.

Sturgeon said: “I know this will be disappointing for businesses and service providers such as day care services.

“However, ensuring continued widespread use of face coverings will provide some additional protection - particularly for the most vulnerable - at a time when the risk of infection is very high, and it may help us get over this spike more quickly.

“We will review it again in two weeks - before Easter recess - and our expectation now is that this regulation will convert to guidance in early April.”

The First Minister also confirmed that the requirement for businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details will end on Monday, as will the requirement for businesses, places of worship and service providers “to have regard to Scottish Government guidance on Covid, and to take reasonably practicable measures set out in the guidance”.