MASK THE NATION
As Sturgeon says face coverings are here to stay, we take to the streets to gauge shoppers’ reaction
SHOPPERS had their say as face masks became compulsory in Scotland’s stores for the first time yesterday.
While Nicola Sturgeon warned the measure would be in place for the “foreseeable future”, the vast majority of Scots we spoke to weren’t letting it deter them from hitting the high street.
The move to mandatory face coverings in shops for everyone over the age of five, with exemptions for some medical conditions such as asthma, came into force as Scotland moves into phase three of easing the coronavirus lockdown.
On Glasgow’s Buchanan Street – one of Europe’s shopping hotspots – stores appeared busy and queues were still forming outside popular outlets.
Many shoppers told the Record they were happy to use face coverings to get back to some normality. But some admitted they found using masks “a pain” and would even avoid stores until the measure is no longer in place.
Ellie McNulty, 16, a student from Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: “Up until now I’ve only been wearing one on the train but it’s fine. It’s just
something we
BY SALLY HIND need to get used to. I came in to town the day after the shops opened but this is my first time using the mask.
“I’m quite happy to just follow the rules to keep people safe.”
Ash Wolf, 25, a computer science graduate from Glasgow city centre, said he would do whatever it takes to help beat the virus.
He said: “I’ve just been in to the supermarket today.
“I had to do an emergency repair on my mask because one of the bands snapped but I managed to fix it.
“I find it to be a pain but I’m willing to deal with it to get this whole thing over a bit sooner.”
Rachael Cook, 40, a full-time mum from Glasgow’s west end, has been used a mask since the start of the pandemic.
She said: “I’ve been doing it anyway. I carry the masks all the time in my bag for me and my children whenever we go out. I feel better now everyone’s doing it too.
“The staff are wearing masks now, so I think it’s much safer and I feel more confident about coming out to the shops.”
Kevin Cassidy, 58, a bus driver from Coleraine, Northern Ireland, said he was avoiding wearing a face covering at all costs while visiting his daughter.
He said: “I don’t like wearing masks. They’ve come in on public transport today back home. I knew it was compulsory in shops in Scotland today so I’ve stood outside the shops and waited rather than go in. I feel uncomfortable and would rather just avoid it.
“It suits me just fine not having to go in a shop.”
Theo Cherry, 24, a retail assistant from Glasgow city centre, said: “I’ve been mostly wearing a mask anyway. I find it a bit annoying because I’m asthmatic and have to take it off to use my inhaler but it’s mostly not been an issue. More a slight nuisance.
“I’m actually glad compulsory now.”
Rachel Beckett, 17, student from Hamilton, said she felt the shops were less busy now the measure is in place.
She said: “I think it’s better because it’s not as crowded today in town. The shops are being really careful, so it is reassuring to see everyone complying.
“This is the first time I’ve been out in town and it’s not put me off coming having to wear the mask.”
Matthew Gallacher, 21, a pharmacology student from Glasgow’s Scotstoun, said: “This is my first time out in the city centre. I have been keeping
my mask on on public transport and in shops anyway, it’s just better knowing that everyone has to comply. It makes you feel a lot safer.
“On my train ride here there was someone without a mask.
“I didn’t expect it to be this busy but everyone seems to be complying generally. It’s good to see.”
National clinical director Jason Leitch said face coverings are not required to be medicalstandard masks but should cover the nose and mouth with at least two layers of fabric.
And First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a plea for people to abide by the new law, appealing for Scots to do so “in solidarity” to protect both themselves and others.
She said: “I encourage people to see wearing a face covering for the foreseeable future when you go to the shops become as automatic as putting a seatbelt on is in a car already.
“The key here is for all of us as responsible citizens to do it because it’s the right thing to do.”
But Sturgeon said she did not expect shop workers to enforce the wearing of face coverings.
She said: “If a customer is refusing, it is not your job to force them to do it. The enforcement part of this, if it is necessary, falls to the police. Whether it is over face coverings or they are asking you to physically distance or quarantine things you pick up in the shop, do not abuse the shop worker.
“This decision is a decision the Scottish Government has taken. It is not a decision a shop worker has taken, so don’t take it out on them if you disagree with that decision.”