Nicola Sturgeon claimed that Scotland’s mask laws could continue to be in effect for the long-term if they are used to fight Covid. This was despite her blasting Boris Johnson’s decision to lift most restrictions effective this week.
According to the First Minister, face covers were not the greatest handicap that the people had to deal with as they tried to rebuild their country from Covid.
A variety of measures that were introduced to address the Omicron variant on Boxing Day will be scrapped, however laws making it mandatory for masks to remain in shops and other locations will continue.
The Prime Minister, however, has revealed a bonfire that will remove almost all restrictions from England by March. This includes guidance regarding masks.
Asked on the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme today if she can see people wearing masks for ‘months or years to come’, in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said: ‘I hope not. I don’t want any of these measures to be in place for any longer than is necessary.
‘But masks … are something we can do. They are not something we enjoy, but it is possible to stop transmission.
“So, while they may not be able to control the virus completely then I think that it’s something that we should do.
Again I would suggest that it is England that is the outlier here, not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or many countries across the world.’
According to the First Minister, face covers were not the greatest handicap that the people had to deal with as they tried to rebuild their country from Covid.
The Prime Minister, however, has revealed a bonfire that will remove almost all restrictions from England by March. This includes guidance regarding masks.
She echoes Mark Drakeford’s comments on the English Covid system in her remarks.
He called England an international “outlier” for resisting stricter controls to combat Omicron, and accused the Prime Minister of leading a political paralysed administration with its hands tied.
Tomorrow, restaurants and bars in Scotland can no longer serve customers at tables. However, social distancing won’t happen.
As she lifts restrictions that were in effect since Christmas Eve, nightclubs will be permitted to reopen. Plans to expand the Covid passport system have also been abandoned.
Indoor event attendance limits will be removed, allowing them to align with outdoor events. This change was implemented yesterday.
However baseline coronavirus measures in place before the Omicron wave will remain, including masks are still legally required indoors and on public transport.
In contrast in England, Mr Johnson last week announced plans to scrap all Covid restrictions by the spring.
As the Omicron wave receded, Plan B was also abandoned.
The under-fire PM ended working from home with immediate effect, with the remaining Omicron-fighting measures — Covid passports and compulsory face masks — to be dropped from Thursday in an attempt to win back the support of Tory MPs and voters following the Partygate row.
He also stated that he would remove any remaining Covid laws before March 24, which includes the mandatory self-isolation of positive cases and the requirement for your address to NHS Test and Trace in case you have Covid.