FACE masks may have to be worn by Scots outside under plans being considered by the Scottish Government, the First Minister has revealed.
Nicola Sturgeon will give an update on the rules on using the items when she gives a statement to Holyrood today.
But ahead of the announcement, she was asked about her thinking on the use of masks outdoors.
One journalist at yesterday’s briefing on the pandemic pointed to claims by scientists of their limited effectiveness outdoors.
In response, the First Minister suggested the new rules would require people in staff canteens to wear face coverings, which have to date been exempt, and also people walking in office corridors.
“In the Scottish Government headquarters ... when I am coming from one floor to do this press briefing I am now wearing a face covering,” she said.
“And the regulations will cover communal corridors in workplaces and also things like staff canteens which have been exempt up until now, even though there is a requirement in hospitality generally.”
Turning to the wearing of face coverings outdoors, she then added: “I am not going to rule anything out ... because I don’t think in this situation we should ... I’m not going to gainsay the scientists who know much more about this than I do.
“But in a pandemic we are trying to get everything we can to get transmission under control. Low impact is maybe not as good as high impact but it’s better than no impact.”
“So anything that we might think can make a contribution to this massive effort to keep the virus under control, we will consider.
“And I think it would be rash or wrong to rule anything out categorically at this stage but we’ll make these decisions on a considered basis and in a balanced way.”
Scotland was the first part of the UK to introduce regulations requiring Scots to wear face coverings in most communal indoor areas.
Currently. people are required to wear masks on public transport as well as in shops, restaurants and bars.
Pupils and staff in secondary schools must wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
All children aged five and over using school transport also must wear face coverings. Exemptions are in place for people with certain health conditions.
The First Minister confirmed wider curbs introduced in September will be reviewed today – at the three-week review date – but revealed unsurprisingly that Scots should not expect an announcement that measures have been eased.
She said: “Parliament has to review the restrictions we imposed on households three weeks ago.
“I will, however, say a bit more to Parliament [today] about new rules on face coverings and about our options when the current two-week period of additional restrictions ends on October 25.”
She confirmed 15 Scots had tragically died from coronavirus in the previous 24 hours, the highest daily death toll since May.
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