He said: "We're still cautious as public health advisers because we're still worried about the overwhelmed nature of our health systems around the world - not just here, but Scotland is no exception. However,. What's more, the authors did not observe a delayed effect, with no change in the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate during the time when the mask-wearing policy was removed (weeks 26 to 40). The patient can be discharged from isolation early if they test negative on an antigen-based rapid test. Read about our approach to external linking. On Wednesday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he had tested positive for the virus and was self-isolating. But I don't want to quibble about that. In communal areas of schools ad when moving around inside school buildings, secondary school pupils will need to continue wearing face coverings when they return after the Easter break. "The way you look after your staff is to not overburden them, you don't ask them to do more when they've already spent two years doing more - it is about realism for the coming months," Dr Morrison added. She said cases in the wave of the Omicron sub-variant affecting Scotland had dropped off quickly in Germany and Netherlands, despite them removing legal mask requirements. How well have Scotland and the UK coped with Covid? Instead of quietly side-lining her own health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon needs to sack Humza Yousaf and appoint someone up to the job. But it can also be prescribed by a paediatrician, neurologist or cardiologist. This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. "My understanding is it was a matter of seconds. Table 2 outlines the following situations where when FRSMs are strongly recommended to be worn in primary care (GP practices, dentists, opticians and pharmacies) and wider community healthcare settings: after a risk assessment when the person they are supporting / caring for is showing signs of distress. This article contains content provided by Twitter. COVID-19: Universal mask-wearing reminder in Scotland It is strongly recommended that you wear a FRSM (or face covering if a FRSM cannot be tolerated). The national clinical director was also asked about a video showing Nicola Sturgeon not wearing a face mask during a campaign visit to a barber's in East Kilbride. "But if we had a new variant in the future, the big scientific questions are: is it more transmissible? Updated version of guidance and questions and answers added in html. Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer. Clinical teams may wish to include a pre- admission/pre- appointment triage question regarding the individuals ability to wear a face mask and take the opportunity to encourage the use of face masks. On 21 March, the requirement for businesses to collect customer contact details and follow government guidelines was scrapped, with firms and services instead urged to take "reasonably practical measures" to reduce the spread of the virus. Patients are no longer required to wear masks in NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and emergency departments, unless they have suspected or confirmed Covid infection. Public Health Scotland said there were more than 2,000 people in hospital with the virus on Thursday - but very few in intensive care. Read about our approach to external linking. The low-tech, low-cost intervention without. "I think we will have a good spring and summer, we will get through this wave and the pressure on the NHS from Covid will lessen," she said. The public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people. Revised guidance to reflect removal of guide for care home settings. This is the first medical grade transparent face mask available for use in Scotland. To keep our patients and staff safe, NHS Western Isles is requiring all staff, visitors and those attending healthcare appointments at our hospitals and other premises to wear a clinical face mask on entry to the premises. The move had been delayed twice amid record levels of Covid cases and high numbers of people. Presentwithin and moving around clinical areas, It is strongly recommendedthat you wear a FRSM at all times throughout your shift. Your cookie preferences have been saved. Prof Leitch said: "I haven't spoken to the first minister today, I imagine I'll speak to her later. Sturgeon said extraordinary levels of winter flu and rising Strep A cases were to blame for high hospital occupancy rates, alongside delayed discharges where a patient is ready to leave hospital but cannot because the necessary care package or accommodation is not available. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Mask wearing has been part of a package of infection control measures employed to reduce COVID-19 in hospitals throughout the pandemic. Share. Even when patients are in single rooms, they are strongly encouraged to wear a mask whenever anyone enters their room, i.e. The increased use of face masks has resulted in additional challenges to individuals who are deaf or rely on lip-reading, as well as others with different communication needs. Lifting of Scottish face mask laws confirmed - BBC News after a risk assessment when the person they are supporting/caring for is showing signs of distress. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. Additional staff for the NHS 24 service is also set to increase in the coming weeks after workforce numbers were increased prior to the festive period to reduce the need for hospital visits. Covid in Scotland: Legal requirement for face masks to end BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, video showing Nicola Sturgeon not wearing a face mask, 'The heart of our family': The lives lost to Covid, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer. And how do our vaccines and the protection conferred by vaccines respond to that variant? The number of daily reported Covid cases in Scotland hit about 12,000 in March but the figure is now about 5,000. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. Covid: Law on wearing face masks in Scotland is lifted Including when receiving direct care or receiving visitors. You may want to read Twitters cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. Professor Linda Bauld, a public health expert and an advisor to the Scottish government, said she was worried about a new variant taking hold. Wherever possible, maintain two-metre distancing if FRSM removed. On Monday, Ms Sturgeon said "these things are being looked at very actively". Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. Is climate change killing Australian wine? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. People without symptoms are no longer required to take the regular tests, but PCR tests will be available to people with symptoms until the end of April. Although the Province's masking requirement for certain indoor settings has expired, the wearing of face masks will continue . Note: The section on the isolation period was updated on 17 January 2023 for clarity. Click here to sign in with compromises clinical care (e.g. However, the Scottish government and health. She advised more vulnerable peple to "evaluate your personal risk" when going to high risk areas where there are lots of people and little ventilation. This should be decided on an individual case-by-case basis. The idea that we can just treat this like a bad cold and go to work anyway - those days are over," he told GMS. People are no longer legally required to wear face masks on public transport and in most indoor public spaces in Scotland as the rule moved into guidance on Monday. Nicola Sturgeon described the decision to extend mask rules as a "temporary" one, Staff at hospitals across Scotland are facing capacity issues, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. "We are getting much less protection especially of the BA.2 subvariant because we need to inhale much fewer virus particles than we used to," Dr Tait-Burkard said.