Guardian: 'Mask rules to stay in force in Scotland as Covid cases rise.

[abqtommy]

Nicola Sturgeon says increase driven by Omicron sub-variant means rule must remain beyond 21 March.'

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/15/mask-rules-to-stay-in-force-in-scotland-as-covid-cases-rise

[The requirement to wear face masks on public transport, in shops and other enclosed public spaces will remain in place in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said, as a sharp increase in cases driven by the Omicron sub-variant prompted her government to delay scrapping the measure entirely.

With all legal restrictions due to end in Scotland on 21 March, the first minister told MSPs she needed to “ask everyone to be patient for a little while longer on face coverings”.

She said this would be reviewed in a further two weeks and she expected the law – which has been in place since June 2020 – to be converted into guidance in early April, if there is evidence that the spike in cases has stabilised.

“I know this will be disappointing for businesses and service providers such as day care services”, Sturgeon said, but added that retaining the protection was “very much in the spirit of solidarity and mutual concerns to each other that has characterised the public response to this pandemic over the past two years.”.]

There's more text and a photo at the link. I approve of this common-sense approach
to make sure as many people as possible will survive this latest world-wide increase
in covid infections.

[SheltieLover]

1. Smart!

[Emrys]

2. The responses of Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford (Wales's First Minister)

have all along been more science-led, and haven't been derailed by politics and scandal as Johnson's has been.

I suspect even after these restrictions are lifted, many if not most of us will continue to mask up indoors. It will be a strange sensation when we can finally abandon them with a degree of safety.

[abqtommy]

4. It's painfully obvious that this is not anywhere near a safe time to end mask mandates.

I for one will continue masking and performing all the other safety precautions that have
served me/us so well. I don't think covid is ever going away and it's up to each of us to
assess the risks and our response. Thanks for your reply.

[tanyev]

7. We could have opened up a lot sooner if everyone diligently wore masks.

Such a simple thing to do that offers so much protection. *smh*

[smirkymonkey]

3. Sensible country.

The more I know about Scotland, the more impressed I am.

[Blues Heron]

5. they have an aversion to self destruction unlike the USA apparently

We are near an intervariant minimum right now, with reduced masking we are sure to go back up like europe and asia are right now

[abqtommy]

6. Thanks, I totally agree. nt