Scotland makes face masks or face coverings mandatory

[xoxo Craig 55,649]

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/face-coverings/

From today onwards, it is now mandatory to wear a face mask or a homemade face covering when you are out and about in Scotland. Before today, they were only mandatory on public transport... but now, they are mandatory in shops and public spaces also. 

The Scottish government have posted a list of people who may be exempt from wearing one. These are:

- children under 5 years of age

- police constables or workers such as paramedics acting in the course of their duty 

- staff such as drivers or checkout assistants who are physically separated, by means of, for example, screens, from passengers or customers

- shop workers if they maintain a 2 metre distance from customers or members of the public

You may also have a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering if, for example:

- you have a health condition or you are disabled and a face covering would be inappropriate because it would cause difficulty, pain or severe distress or anxiety or because you cannot apply a covering and wear it in the proper manner safely and consistently. Individual discretion should be applied in considering the use of face coverings for other children including, for example, children with breathing difficulties and disabled children who would struggle to wear a face covering

- you need to eat or drink

- you are taking medication

- you are communicating with someone else who relies on lip reading

- a relevant person, such as a police officer, asks you to remove your face covering

Two meters social distancing rule still applies.

Stay safe guys!

[Better Day 5,766]

I'm glad the First Minister is taking these steps. It is only reasonable to make it mandatory to wear a covering since more people are able to go out and about.