Fears face masks have led to social distancing being flouted

Fears have been raised that some shoppers in Perth and Kinross are ignoring social distancing rules since face coverings became mandatory.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser asked cabinet secretary for government business and constitutional relations Michael Russell what his view was on people not sticking to the default two-metre social distancing now that wearing face masks is compulsory in shops.

Constituents have given examples of one-way systems or restrictions on numbers entering shops being relaxed as a consequence of the introduction.

Mr Fraser forwarded the question at Tuesday’s parliamentary COVID-19 committee meeting, of which he is convenor, as Mr Russell was giving evidence on four sets of health protection amendment regulations.

Mr Fraser said: “Many of my constituents have contacted me to say that they had noticed that large supermarkets, who previously had quite strict rules on social distancing, with, for example one-way systems or restrictions on numbers entering, seem to have relaxed those as a consequence of the compulsory wearing of face masks.

“I have noticed this myself with some shoppers seeming to think they can come as close as they like because they are wearing a face mask.

“I asked the cabinet secretary if the SNP government is putting too much faith in face masks.

“However, many of my constituents are concerned by this, as am I, and I feel it is an issue that needs highlighting as there is a danger that some people are taking a more relaxed view on social distancing following the introduction of wearing face masks in shops being made compulsory.”

At the committee Mr Russell replied: “There should be no such relaxation. It is not a case of either or the regulations are entirely clear about that.

“The two-metre default position remains in place; there have been changes to that for retail and hospitality premises, providing that certain very strict conditions are met.

“If there has been such slippage, I have no evidence of that and have not observed it. It should not be taking place.

“The requirements are in place for very clear public health reasons, they are not optional.

“As I have often said in my evidence to the committee, which I have given regularly, at the end of the day they are about saving lives - they are certainly about ensuring public health.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson added: “To stay safe and protect others we must minimise the opportunity for coronavirus to spread from one person to another.

“We have been clear that face coverings are just one part of a package of measures across the population that have helped reduce infection rates.

“No single measure will guarantee protection from COVID-19.

“The FACTS campaign highlights that face coverings together with appropriate distancing are crucial as we move through the route map out of lockdown.”

There should be no such relaxation