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Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

Majority of covid restrictions in Scotland scrapped as face masks remain in place

The majority of covid restrictions have been lifted in Scotland today, nearly two years since some of them were first introduced.

From today, Scots will no longer have to give their details across to hospitality venues for contract tracing purposes while shops won't need specific guidelines for customers.

Despite some of the big changes face masks will remain in place across the country until at least early April due to the high number of cases.

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealed that one in 14 people in Scotland had covid last week.

The rise in so-called 'Stealth Omicron' led to the ONS sampling suggesting 376,000 Scots had the deadly virus in the week ending March 12 which was the highest rate in the UK.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the changes last week (REUTERS)

Scotland's R rate has also risen to between 1 and 1.3.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced last week that due to the surge in cases the requirement to wear a face mask on public transport and other settings won't be scrapped as was planned.

Covid measures in retail settings such as having separate entrances and exit, floor markings indicating physical distancing, dividing screens and hand sanitiser will be removed from today.

While, places of worship will also lift similar restrictions.

The use of QR codes and giving your details to bars, cafes and restaurants will also end on Monday.

Restrictions on travelling to Scotland were lifted on March 18, however today will mark the first full week of no international rules.

With the lifting of restrictions on retail, Scottish Labour is calling on the government to rollout a high street voucher scheme to adults across the country get people back spending money.

The party's Finance and Economy spokesperson Daniel Johnson said is also calling for greater engagement with the industry to shape policy making going forward.

He added: "Businesses across Scotland will breathe a sigh of relief as restrictions are lifted today – but there is no room for complacency.

"The challenges facing Scotland’s economy didn’t start with Covid and they won’t end today.

"The cost of living crisis will pile added pressure on to businesses, as people cut costs to try and make ends meet, but once again the SNP and the Tory governments are failing to get to grips with the challenge.

"We need real action to get our economy moving again and undo the lasting damage done to our high streets by both the pandemic and by 15 years of SNP mismanagement.

"This means clearer communication and more ambition from the SNP government. Without these we are going to see our vibrant and important towns and cities decline.

"We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to build a stronger economy and get our high streets thriving again."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We have just published an ambitious plan that sets out how we can transform Scotland’s economy – this includes a ruthless focus on working with business and industry to deliver the changes we want to see.

"We are all too aware of the impact the Covid pandemic has had – and continues to have – on retailers, high streets and on the economy. That is why, since the start of the pandemic, businesses have benefitted from more than £4.5 billion in support.

"We are taking action to help retailers and communities recover – not least through our £80 million Economic Recovery Fund and the forthcoming Retail Strategy.”

"We will also listen carefully to any constructive suggestions on what further steps we might take."

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