Major Covid rule change TODAY as Scotland ditches indoor face-coverings

SCOTLAND will join the rest of the UK in a major mask rule change TODAY.

As of Monday, face-coverings do not have to be worn indoors nor on public transport.

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The move – which saw the mask rule become guidance – brings Scotland in line with the rest of the UK.

But Scots are still “strongly” urged to put on their masks when appropriate to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Today also saw an end to mandatory regular Covid tests for people without symptoms of the virus.

Free lateral flow tests for twice weekly routine testing are no longer available.

But tests are still free for clinical care, health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals.

People with symptoms should still isolate and get a PCR test until April 30.

From that date, test sites will close and people with symptoms will no longer be advised to get tested.

Scots who feel unwell will be told to stay at home until they feel better.

The rule easing came one day after Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was reported to police.

Footage showed her apparently breaching the country’s Covid face mask law while on the council election campaign trail.

A video posted on social media appeared to show Ms Sturgeon not wearing a mask during a visit to a barber’s in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday.

Police Scotland confirmed it had received a complaint and said it was being assessed.

An SNP spokesman said: “Within a few seconds, she realised she hadn’t put her mask back on and immediately put it on.”

Ms Sturgeon has previously said she is confident most people will continue to wear masks after the rules ease.

Speaking on Saturday, she said: “I’m not saying every single person will (continue to wear masks), people will make their own decisions.

“But I think, just as the vast majority of people have abided by all that we’ve asked of them over the last two years because people understand that the best way to protect themselves and protect those they love is to abide by these really sensible, basic precautions against the spread of a virus.”