It’s Scotland’s final legal requirement for COVID to be lifted – although the Scottish Government still recommends using face masks where needed. The long-planned relaxation of the rules comes a day after Scotland’s first minister was reported to police for allegedly violating the face mask rule while on a campaign. Nicola Sturgeon was filmed without a face mask as she greeted clients at a barber shop in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday. Image: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, pictured in March, told police about the incident on Saturday A Scottish police spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint which is currently being evaluated.” Responding to the reports, an SNP spokesman said: “The first minister was invited to the barbershop during an outdoor road visit. “Within seconds, she realized she had not put on her mask again and put it on immediately.” Ms Sturgeon had previously apologized in December 2020 for violating COVID rules by removing her face mask at a funeral, describing it as a “stupid mistake”. Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP, Scottish Conservative spokesman for Health, said Saturday’s incident showed that Ms Sturgeon was “not doing what she preaches in face masks”. “She is happy to signal for official photos, but behind closed doors, it is clear that she does not believe in her own rules, so why should anyone else do it,” she added. As of today, the rules concerning Scotland’s test and protection system have also changed. Asymptomatic people are no longer required to have regular lateral flow tests and free routine testing devices twice a week will no longer be available to the general population. By the end of April, Scots with COVID symptoms still need to be isolated and tested for PCR. However, from April 30, the test sites will be closed and people with symptoms will no longer be informed that they need to get tested.
