Scotland to phase out face mask requirement starting April 4th

The legal requirement to wear face coverings in certain public places in Scotland will be converted to guidance, Nicola Sturgeon said on Wednesday.

The First Minister told the Scottish Parliament: “Nine days ago we lifted all bar one of the remaining Covid legal requirements. However, we retained in law the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport, and in certain indoor settings.”

“I said two weeks ago that we would review this requirement before the Easter recess, which we have now done. We have taken account of the very high level of infection and the pressure on the NHS, and the fact that face coverings do provide an important layer of protection against transmission of the virus from one person to another.”

“However, we are also mindful that the data may now be indicating a peaking of this wave of infection which should hopefully become more pronounced over the next couple of weeks.”

Face mask laws in Northern Ireland changed in February. People there are still recommended to wear one in indoor public places, but it’s not legally required. England dropped its face mask law at the end of January.