Wearing face coverings no longer legal requirement in Scotland

Wearing a mask in some indoor public settings in Scotland is now guidance rather than law

Author: Paul KellyPublished 18th Apr 2022

People in Scotland are no longer legally required to wear face masks on public transport and in most indoor public spaces.

Rules brought in to try and reduce the spread of Covid-19 have now become guidance, but the Scottish Government is still strongly recommending people continue to wear face coverings where appropriate as the virus continues to spread.

Final Covid-19 law now lifted in Scotland

Monday’s change means the last coronavirus restriction in law has now been lifted.

Meanwhile people without symptoms of the virus are no longer being asked to take regular lateral flow tests as part of changes to the test and protect system.

Free lateral flow devices for twice weekly routine testing are no longer available for the general population.

The tests will continue to be free for any purpose for which testing continues to be advised - for clinical care, health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals.

Warning coronavirus hasn't gone away

A weekly Covid-19 survey produced by the Office for National Statistics found that around one in every 17 people in Scotland had Covid-19 in the week up to April 9, a drop on recent weeks.

Until the end of April, people with symptoms should still isolate and get a PCR test.

From April 30, test sites will close and people with symptoms will no longer be advised that they need to seek a test.

The public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people.

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