Note: This calendar view shows the number of photos of www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-use-of-face-coverings, not how many times the site has actually been updated. This is Scotland`s last COVID legal requirement that needs to be lifted – although the Scottish Government still recommends the use of face masks where appropriate. Seeking www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-use-of-face-coverings “However, I accept that it was a mistake on my part not to wear a face covering, even for a few seconds, and I am sorry for that. Ms Sturgeon had already apologised in December 2020 after breaking COVID rules by taking off her face mask at a funeral service, calling it a “stupid mistake”. In a letter to the chair and chairs of the relevant committees, ministers confirmed that the remaining legal requirements will be lifted as planned on 18 April. It is strongly recommended to continue wearing face coverings where appropriate – even in crowded indoor spaces and on public transport – as the public is advised to continue to take reasonable precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Following the announcement of the removal of the legal requirement to wear a face covering, the Scottish Government has issued guidelines allowing people to continue to wear a face covering in certain situations, such as indoors and public transport. However, this will now be due to personal decisions. The Prime Minister added: “Although the law no longer requires face coverings, I will continue to do so in circumstances where it can help reduce the risk of infection and I encourage everyone to do the same.” The Health Secretary said the Scottish government was making the “right decision” as the legal requirement to wear face masks had to be lifted from Easter Monday. “On Saturday, while campaigning outside in East Kilbride, I was invited to a local hair salon. After a few seconds in the store, I realized that I had forgotten to put my face covering back on.

I put it on immediately,” the SNP leader said. Nicola Sturgeon was filmed greeting clients at a hair salon in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday. Dr. Sandesh Gulhane MSP, the Scottish Conservatives` health spokeswoman, said Saturday`s incident showed Ms Sturgeon “not practicing what she preaches about face masks”. The legal requirement to wear face masks on public transport and in most indoor public spaces in Scotland has expired. “There will be some who don`t, and we have to accept that this is the case. But you have to remember that it has been very clear that we cannot maintain a legal restriction longer than necessary and that we must be proportionate as far as the law is concerned, but I have great confidence in the vast majority of the Scottish population. “The legal requirement to wear a face covering in most indoor public spaces and on public transport will become a guideline next week. His comments come after the Prime Minister announced that the legal requirement to wear face coverings in public facilities and public transport across Scotland will end on Easter Monday.

Although the latest coronavirus restriction has been lifted by law, the Scottish Government still strongly recommends that people continue to wear face coverings where appropriate as Covid-19 continues to spread. “For this reason, I strongly recommend that the public continue to wear face coverings indoors when possible, and especially when a significant number of people are present. On Monday, Police Scotland confirmed that officers had spoken to Ms Sturgeon to “remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when required by law”. But Health Minister Humza Yousaf added some reservations to the good news. Although he said the current wave of infections seems to be easing, he added that “this is not the last wave we have to deal with.” In addition, he pointed out that although the legal obligation has been abandoned, government policies should still wear face coverings in certain situations. The long-planned relaxation of the rules comes a day after Scotland`s first minister was reported to police after breaching the face mask rule during the election campaign. “But I think we can say, based on the ONS data, on the basis of the case data, on the basis of the hospital occupancy declines for people with Covid – although the number of people with Covid is still very high – we are making the right decision by removing this final legal requirement, but of course by replacing it with very strict guidelines. Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland that the legal restriction could not be maintained “one minute longer than necessary”. However, there will always be “very strong instructions” on wearing face masks, and he has “great confidence” in the vast majority of Scots to follow this. “We must continue to follow the latest advice on hygiene, ventilation, testing and, of course, vaccination to protect ourselves and each other. Earlier this month, it was confirmed that people without symptoms of COVID-19 from the age of 18 April will no longer be asked to perform regular side-discharge tests.

The change is part of the Test and Protect Transition Plan, which defines how testing should be better targeted, with the goal of reducing the serious harm caused by COVID-19. This decision has been delayed twice due to record levels of Covid and high hospitalizations. The changes to Test and Protect mean that starting April 18: Can you get a flu shot if you have a cold? When to get a free flu shot – and who is eligible For some, it will be a time to rejoice, because what is, hopefully, the last “day of freedom” brings a very tangible sign of the long-awaited “return to normalcy”. The Health Secretary said the NHS recovery would take “years” after the “biggest shock” of the pandemic. Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player What is fascism? Italian elections won by Giorgia Meloni, the alleged leader of Italy`s far right who denies fascist claims Asked why Scotland has now reached the point where masks are abolished, Yousaf told the BBC`s The Sunday Show: “There are a number of reasons. First of all, I think based on the data, we can safely say that we are leaving the current wave, and it has been quite relentless over the last four to five months given the emergence of Omicron and the emergence of BA2. Do you want to join the conversation? Please register or log in to comment on this article. People with symptoms of COVID-19 can still book PCR tests in the usual way until April 30. As of that date, testing sites will be closed and people with symptoms will no longer be informed that they need to be tested. The public health advice for people who are not feeling well will be to stay home until they feel better to reduce the risk of infecting other people. And people are still dying from this terrible disease. According to figures released yesterday, 28 coronavirus-related deaths and 5,513 new cases have been reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours.

“However, our NHS is still under pressure and the most vulnerable members of our society can still benefit from additional measures to protect them from the virus.” Over the past few weeks, we`ve seen steady progress as we return to a greater sense of normalcy and a more sustainable way of dealing with this virus. “She`s happy when she gestures for official photos, but behind closed doors, it`s clear that she doesn`t believe in her own rules, so why should someone else do it,” she added. Free side flow (LFD) devices for routine twice-weekly examinations are no longer available to the general population. That the SNP government, which has been cautious and imposed restrictions longer than south of the border, feels able to take this step is a welcome sign. Meanwhile, starting April 18, people without symptoms of the virus will no longer be asked to perform regular lateral flow tests as part of changes to the screening and protection system. The testing program is also coming to an end due to pressure from the UK government to cancel the program. This means that people will no longer be able to get free lateral flow tests. Testing will continue to be made available to people living in high-risk environments, including the NHS and nursing home staff. Mr Yousaf said: “We will have to learn to live with covid”, adding: “But we are doing it gradually.” The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our personalities, says a study that means Monday is truly an important milestone for the country and one that many want to celebrate. “Given the circumstances of this incident, Police Scotland is satisfied that no further action is necessary. This is in line with our proportionate approach throughout the pandemic.

The data shows that the situation has generally improved, but Covid has not gone away as there are still more than 5,000 cases per day recorded in Scotland. Of his confidence in the public to continue wearing masks when it`s “appropriate,” Yousaf said, “I think the vast majority will.