Scottish police officers and firefighters are still having to wear masks at work as public bodies fall into line with guidance issued by Nicola Sturgeon.
Despite Scotland’s legal requirement to wear face coverings being dropped last week, some organisations are still choosing to follow “strong guidance” issued by the First Minister to maintain Covid precautions voluntarily.
Police Scotland has ordered more than 20,000 officers and staff to continue to wear face coverings in its buildings. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued guidance to staff to “to continue with the use of face coverings whilst at work”.
On Monday, the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service lifted a ban on the public in courtrooms after more than two years, but demanded that all those who attend hearings wear masks throughout.
Other organisations, such as universities and publicly-run museums are also strongly encouraging the continued use of face coverings rather than presenting the decision as a personal choice.
‘Many will be left feeling confused’
Sue Webber, the public health spokeswoman for the Scottish Tories, said the public would be left baffled by bodies voluntarily imposing their own Covid curbs.
“This flies in the face of the move making the transition to guidance on facemasks and trusting the public to make their own judgment,” she said. “Clear and consistent messaging is absolutely crucial. Many will be left feeling confused if they were to attend one of these settings and were told to wear a face mask, having made up their own mind in another setting.
“Nicola Sturgeon already dithered and delayed the lifting of the legal requirement on facemasks until last week. Questions must be answered as to why some public settings are still unwilling to trust the public to make their own minds up.”
Ms Sturgeon twice delayed plans to scrap the mask mandate in Scotland. It was finally lifted on Easter Monday, with SNP ministers suggesting it may no longer have survived a legal challenge.
A Scottish government spokesman said organisations could choose to require staff or customers to wear masks if doing so was supported by an “assessment of risk”.
