Nicola Sturgeon under fire for refusing to axe face masks sooner

The hospitality sector has blasted Nicola Sturgeon’s refusal to ease the restrictions on face masks sooner.

The First Minister this week delayed ending the legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and in some public places.

It will now not become “guidance” until April 18, which has been met with disappointment from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA).

Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said that the decision was “particularly galling”, given that the First Minister herself was seen without a face covering while attending the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in London this week.

He said: “While face coverings are not required south of the border as the rules changed at the end of January, surely it would have set an example for the First Minister still to wear hers at the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service given her decision to insist that in licensed hospitality, in shops, on public transport and some indoor settings in Scotland we are required to still wear them until April 18?

“The lack of use of face coverings is already clearly evident in many settings and this extension of the restrictions will make little difference.

“We have already stated our view that Scotland not falling into line with England will confuse people – particularly visitors from south of the border.

“It is already confusing people and it is exceptionally unfair for business owners and their staff to have to remind people who are not familiar with our rules that they must wear a face covering.

“To say we are bitterly disappointed by this week’s announcement is an understatement as we still face nearly three more weeks of restrictions.

“We had hoped that all restrictions would have been lifted ahead of the Easter weekend when hospitality businesses traditionally see an upsurge in business.”