Fines for those flouting mask rule
People convicted of not wearing face coverings on public transport will face £30 fines as the First Minister announced their use would become mandatory.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday confirmed it would be mandatory for those using buses, trains, trams, taxis and private hire cabs to wear face coverings from Monday.
The move also covers the Glasgow subway, planes and enclosed areas on ferries.
Confirming the move first reported in The Scotsman, Ms Sturgeon said: “This will be subject to some exemptions – for example, for children under the age of five, people with breathing difficulties, and those who have physical conditions which make it hard to keep the mask in place.
“It will also not apply to drivers who are already protected by a shield of some kind.”
Those convicted of not complying will face a fine of £30 if they pay within 28 days. The penalty doubles to £60 thereafter, with repeat offenders liable to fines up to £960.
The Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency said passengers should not challenge people not wearing a face covering, but inform staff.
However, it said Police Scotland and British Transport Police were expected to have a “very limited role in enforcement”.
Train operators such as Scotrail will have a “limited supply” of free disposable face coverings for a limited period at major stations such as Glasgow Central and Queen Street, Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket, and Aberdeen and Inverness. They will also be available from ticket offices at Argyle Street, Exhibition Centre, Johnstone, Ayr, Paisley Gilmour Street, Linlithgow, Falkirk High, Bathgate, Airdrie, Hyndland, Dalmuir and Motherwell stations.
Bus firms will have some available at “central hubs” such as bus stations.
Safety is the fundamental concern for all retailers and they have been working hard to implement the necessary social distancing and hygiene measures to operate safely over the past weeks.
“This a welcome vote of confidence in that effort and preparation. Now that we know which shops can open and when, retailers can begin communicating their plans with their workforces and customers.”
Mr Lonsdale said that shoppers should be prepared for shops to have different layouts and features such as one-way aisles and Plexiglass.
The SRC is also calling for a “clear plan” to be devised which would allow shoppers to travel to and through town and city centres across Scotland, as well as a short-term economic stimulus package to encourage customers to start shopping again.
The Federation of Small Businesses also broadly welcomed the move.
FSB director for the devolved nations Colin Borland said: “Some shopkeepers will be disappointed that this reopening is more than a week away, when many were primed for Monday.
He added: “We understand the need to exercise caution. But the Scottish Government must provide sharper detail for businesses about the reopening programme.”
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, also welcomed the easing of measures which were set out at Holyrood.
“Many retailers will have some measure of relief to finally have a clearer idea of when they can reopen and what they will need to do to prepare for this while construction firms can now start working again,” she said.
“It will be a relief for many employers and will help to save jobs.”
CBI Scotland director Tracy Black said: “Progressing to phase two of the Scottish Government’s restart plan is a welcome step and gives more firms further clarity about when they can reopen their doors.
“While public health rightly remains the priority, the need for action to protect jobs and livelihoods is urgent.
With the latest GDP figures making for difficult reading, and redundancies likely to rise as government support winds down, the speed and joined-up nature of our response is critical to Scotland’s economic recovery.”