Face masks to be phased out

Face masks are set to be phased out across hospitals and social care settings next week.

In a letter addressed to health chiefs and local authorities by Scotland’s chief medical officer and chief nursing officer, it is confirmed that current guidance in place requiring staff, patients and visitors to wear masks in healthcare settings will be dropped on May 16.

It comes as part of what the letter’s authors say is an adaptation to a “calmer phase”of the pandemic with the necessity for the protection offered by masks reduced by a high Covid vaccination rate, the reduced severity of illness from Covid and the availability of treatments.

The existing guidance - which will remain in place until May 16 across all healthcare settings - required fluid resistant surgical face masks to be worn.

It was initially introduced in November 2020 at the height of the second wave of the Covid pandemic.

With the face masks guidance withdrawn, health and social care staff are being urged to follow existing infection prevention and control guidance on the usage of PPE laid out in existing manuals for healthcare and care home staff.

In practice, the change for social care settings means the element of choice to wear a mask outwith when it is recommended in the manuals will no longer apply - with PPE use being based on clinical need and risk assessment.

The authors also confirm that staff concerned by the change to the guidance can speak to their employer and individual assessments should take place as appropriate.

They also stress the need for as many people as possible who are eligible to take up the spring booster vaccination programme.