Tag: face coverings

Facemasks no longer recommended in social care

Guidance relaxed in line with latest clinical advice

Social care staff and visitors are no longer being advised to wear facemasks at all times under new guidance published today (7 September).

The recommendation has been lifted due to a sharp drop in coronavirus infections and a reduction in severity of illness, which has been driven by Scotland’s successful vaccination programme which has so far seen more than 12 million Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Scotland.

Care home residents and their loved ones will benefit from these more relaxed visiting arrangements. Masks and face coverings in social care may still be worn if recommended in certain situations, such as a local outbreak of COVID, or if staff deem it necessary. Staff and visitors remain free to wear one if they choose.

This guidance balances the risk of harm from COVID-19 with the impact masks can have on communication, mental wellbeing and rights and choices of those working in and using social care services.

Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Our phenomenally successful vaccination programme has driven down infections and saved the NHS from untold pressures.

“Removing the need for facemasks in social care settings including care homes is the latest step in our path to recovering from the pandemic.

“This will make communication and relationships easier in care settings, benefiting mental health and promoting the rights and choices of those working in and using social care.”

 Read the new guidance for face mask use in social care settings.

One in twenty Scots has the virus … but Covid helpline to close down

Planned closure of COVID special helpline

After helping three quarters of a million Scots during the pandemic the COVID special helpline service will formally close at 4pm on Thursday 30th June 2022.

This reflects changes in national guidance on testing and isolation advice. All information will continue to be available at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.

NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan said: “The formal closure of the non-clinical Covid 19 special helpline reflects how life is returning to a more normal or familiar pattern.

“Covid-19 has not gone away. We still need continue to follow the current guidelines and advice to keep everyone safe. This includes getting your vaccines, staying at home if unwell with Covid -19 symptoms, and simple but effective measures such as washing hands frequently.

“There is an extensive range of information on NHS Inform including symptom checkers for Coronavirus which provide advice and suggest what to do if your condition worsens.

“Remember, if you are unwell or concerned about your symptoms, please continue to access care as normal.”

Legal requirement to wear face coverings to be removed next week

Changes come into force on Monday 18 April

The legal requirement to wear face coverings in most indoor public spaces and on public transport will become guidance next week.

It is strongly recommended that face coverings continue to be worn where appropriate – including in indoor crowded spaces and on public transport – as members of the public are advised to carry on taking sensible precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Data shows the situation has generally improved but Covid has not gone away with over 5,000 cases a day still being recorded in Scotland.

In a letter to the Presiding Officer and relevant Committee Convenors, Ministers confirmed the remaining legal requirements will be lifted as expected on 18 April.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “In recent weeks we have seen steady progress as we move back to a greater sense of normality and a more sustainable way of managing this virus.

“However our NHS is still under pressure and the most vulnerable members of our society can still benefit from additional measures to protect them from the virus.

“That is why although the use of face coverings will become guidance rather than a legal requirement I strongly recommend members of the public continue wearing face coverings in indoor settings where possible, and particularly when significant numbers of people are present.

“We should also all continue to follow the latest advice on hygiene, ventilation, testing and of course vaccination to protect ourselves and each other.”

It was confirmed earlier this month that people without COVID-19 symptoms will no longer be asked to take regular lateral flow tests from 18 April.

The change forms part of the Test and Protect Transition Plan, which sets out how testing will become more targeted, with the aim of reducing serious harm from COVID-19.

The changes to Test and Protect mean that from 18 April:

  • most people without symptoms will no longer be asked to take COVID-19 tests
  • free lateral flow devices (LFDs) for the purposes of twice weekly routine testing will no longer be available for the general population given the changing advice, but will continue to be free for any purpose for which testing continues to be advised – for clinical care, for health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals
  • until the end of April, people with symptoms should still isolate and get a PCR test
  • vaccinated close contacts of someone with COVID-19 should continue to test daily for seven days with LFDs

People who have symptoms of COVID-19 will still be able to book PCR tests in the usual way until 30 April.

From that date, test sites will close and people with symptoms will no longer be advised that they need to seek a test.

The public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people.

Scotland’s Covid regulations: face coverings to remain for now

Legal requirements to wear face coverings on public transport and most indoor public settings will continue until at least early April given the current spike in Covid case numbers, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.

Remaining legal requirements for businesses and service providers to collect customer details for contact tracing, and to have regard to and take reasonable measures set out in Covid guidance, will end as planned on Monday 21 March.

The First Minister also confirmed that people without COVID-19 symptoms will no longer be asked to take regular lateral flow tests tests from 18 April. The change forms part of the Test and Protect Transition Plan, which sets out how testing will become more targeted, with the aim of reducing serious harm from COVID-19. 

The changes to Test and Protect mean that from 18 April:

  • most people without symptoms will no longer be asked to take COVID-19 tests
  • free lateral flow devices (LFDs) for the purposes of twice weekly routine testing will no longer be available for the general population given the changing advice, but will continue to be free for any purpose for which testing continues to be advised – for clinical care, for health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals
  • until the end of April, people with symptoms should still isolate and get a PCR test
  • vaccinated close contacts of someone with COVID-19 should continue to test daily for seven days with LFDs

People who have symptoms of COVID-19 will still be able to book PCR tests in the usual way until 30 April. From that date, test sites will close and people with symptoms will no longer be advised that they need to seek a test. The public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people.

The First Minister thanked the frontline Test and Protect workforce for their efforts throughout the pandemic. Work is on-going to support staff to explore other opportunities in the public and private sector.

The First Minister said: “Today marks a further decisive shift away from controlling Covid through legal restrictions, and towards relying instead on advice and guidance. But please remember, especially since case numbers are so high, that this guidance and advice remains important. 

“Given current case numbers, and the desirability of getting those back under control quickly, the wearing of face masks will stay in place for at least another two weeks.

“Changes in Test and Protect will be phased between now and the end of April. After Easter – from 18 April – we will stop recommending that people who don’t have symptoms, should test for Covid.

“This change will apply across the population –including in most workplaces and in early years centres, schools, universities and colleges.

“Then, at the end of April, routine testing will end – even for people who have symptoms. 

“At that time, physical test sites will close – although some mobile testing units and capacity will be retained for possible future use. Contact tracing will also end.

“Free testing will not generally be available to the wider population. Instead, our advice will be that if you have symptoms of Covid – or indeed symptoms of the flu, or any other infectious illness – you should stay at home in order to aid your recovery.”

Living Safely with Covid in Scotland

Face Masks No More – unless you choose to wear one

A new staged approach to easing protective measures will help Scotland manage and recover from the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement to Parliament yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the details of the updated Strategic Framework to manage COVID-19 primarily through public health advice, vaccination, and treatment rather than legal restrictions.

The First Minister also set out an indicative timescale for remaining legal protections to be lifted:

  • vaccine certification will no longer be legally required from Monday 28 February, although the app will remain available so any business that wishes to continue certification on a voluntary basis to reassure customers will be able to do so
  • current legal requirements on the use of face coverings, the collection of customer details for contact tracing purposes, and for businesses, service providers and places of worship to have regard to guidance on Covid and to take reasonably practicable measures set out in the guidance are expected to be lifted on 21 March, subject to the state of the pandemic
  • access to lateral flow and PCR tests will continue to be free of charge, ahead of a detailed transition plan being published on the future of Scotland’s test and protect programme in March

People who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to be asked to self-isolate to reduce the risk of infecting other people. Any changes to the recommended period of self-isolation will be considered on an ongoing basis.

The First Minister said: “Covid is unfortunately still with us and we must therefore remain vigilant and prepared for the threats it poses. But today’s new framework is an important moment in our recovery.

“It marks the point at which we move away, hopefully sustainably, from legal restrictions, and rely instead on sensible behaviours, adaptations and mitigations.

“Our return to normality must go hand in hand with a continuing determination to look out for and after each other. All of us have a part to play in ensuring a safe and sustainable recovery, so please continue to follow public health advice on getting vaccinated, testing as regularly as appropriate, wearing face coverings when required or recommended, and keeping rooms ventilated.

“All of this still matters, even as we lift the remaining legal requirements. It is how we can keep ourselves and each other safe, as we recover from Covid and look forward together to brighter and better days ahead.”

The Scottish Licnsed Trade Association has welcomed the end to Covid passports as ‘common sense’ but says Scottish Government’s messaging needs to be more ‘positive’

While welcoming the news, however, the trade association expressed disappointment that the legal requirement to wear a face covering in indoor settings must continue until March 21. Similarly, the requirement for businesses to retain customer contact details must also continue for another month.

Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, commented: “Calling a halt to Covid passports is common sense and fantastic news for hospitality businesses, particularly the late-night sector where restrictions over the last two years have had such a severe impact.

“However, the legal requirement to wear a face covering in indoor hospitality and other settings for another month is not the news we wanted to hear today from the First Minister at a time when our sector needs more positivity and confidence – confidence that will encourage customers to start getting out and about again.”

Mr Wilkinson also expressed concern for the viability of some town and city centres over the Scottish Government’s advice to adopt “hybrid” working patterns.

“We need to see more people in our town and city centres – if they’re working from home there are no office lunches or after-work drinks.

“It is encouraging for Scotland’s licensed hospitality venues to see more people returning to their offices and workplaces in recent months as this will breathe life back into our city and town centres – but  let’s be more positive about the messaging.

“There is still a very, very long and uphill struggle ahead for many hospitality businesses with ongoing issues to overcome and an onus on the Scottish Government to support our industry which is key to the economy and jobs.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s speech – Tuesday 22 February 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework Update – February 2022

Schools: Face coverings in classrooms can be removed after the holidays

It’s too soon, says EIS

High school pupils and staff will not be required to wear face coverings in classrooms from 28 February, after the schools mid-term break.

Teachers and pupils who wish to continue to wear a face covering in the classroom should be fully supported in doing so.

Face coverings will still be required in communal areas, subject to future review.

Specific mitigations relating to assemblies and transition visits for learners who will start primary or secondary in August 2022, will also be eased as of 28 February.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “In recent weeks I have promised to keep Parliament and school communities updated on mitigations within schools – including the use of face coverings within classrooms.

“I have been clear that we do not want to keep these measures in place for any longer than is necessary, but that we must continue to be led by scientific and expert advice.

“On Tuesday our Advisory Subgroup on Education and Children’s Issues met to discuss a number of issues, including the use of face coverings.

“The group reiterated its previous position that the removal of mitigations in schools should follow a phased approach. It also advised that the next phase could begin after the February half-term break, with the removal of face-coverings in classrooms – for both pupils and staff – on 28 February.

“In arriving at their decision, the Advisory Sub-Group pointed to reducing case rates for secondary-aged pupils, falling hospitalisation rates across all age categories, and the fact that the estimated R rate is below 1 and decreasing. In addition, vaccination rates for young people continue to increase.

“This change represents a further step in allowing our children and young people to return to a more normal school experience after many months of sacrifice.

“We currently expect that face coverings will still be worn outside the classroom, in indoor communal areas of schools, after 28 February. This will be kept under regular review. In addition, anyone who wants to continue wearing a face covering in classrooms will, of course, be supported to do so.”

Commenting following the First Minister’s statement in the Scottish Parliament, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The majority of EIS members supported the retention of face coverings until we were through the winter period so we would have preferred the end of March rather than the end of February for this change to happen.

“Having said that, it is important that both pupils and staff have the right to continue to wear face coverings if they wish and, in some cases, where there is a heightened vulnerability in play, face coverings may still be required.

“There has been a slight drop in infection levels within schools but they remain high – over 4,000 staff are off school for Covid related reasons and more than 20,000 pupils. Enforcing the remaining mitigations, therefore, around ventilation and face coverings in communal areas, remains critical to school safety.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools will be updated next week.

Reusable face masks soar in online popularity

A new report by leading face mask brand SmartCover reveals reusable face masks have soared in online popularity during the latest lockdown.

The analysis of online news and social media sentiment in the UK highlights that the public’s engagement with reusable face mask topics online has increased significantly in the last three months, compared to the previous period.

Reusable vs. disposable debate

While both reusable and disposable face mask-related topics are trending, the SmartCover analysis reveals that during the third government-imposed lockdown, the total number of reusable face mask mentions were almost double disposable mask related ones.

Sentiment analysis of online news and social media indicates a reluctant attitude towards disposable masks, with only 8% of total mentions positive, compared to 61% of positive sentiment mentions for reusable face masks.

Top hashtags and emojis reveal increased awareness on single-use

The social listening analysis reveals the top hashtags and emojis used in the UK in relation to reusable and disposable face masks. The “face with medical mask” emoji was the top result with 25% of mentions, while the “folded hands” emoji, another top result (5%), is an indicator that people are encouraging the use of reusable masks.

The “grinning squinting face” was the most used with disposable mask terms, with 40% of total mentions, equally popular as the “pleading face” emoji, which grew in popularity as people started encouraging each other to consider reusables.

The study highlights a general increase in the public’s consciousness about the downsides of single-use masks, with some of the most popular hashtags identified – #choosetoreuse, #ecofriendly, #washable or #reusebeatssingleuse touching on environmental concerns. Of the top ten most used emojis with disposable face mask terms, 90% were in a negative context.

Twitter leading platform for reusable face mask support

Engagement on reusable face mask terms increased over 2,000 times in the last three months, compared to the previous period. Twitter has been largely responsible for this increase, with 75% of mentions coming from the social media platform, followed by newspapers and online news, at 11% and 7%, respectively.

Matteo Grassi, CEO of Viceroy Group, parent company to SmartCover, said: “We’re seeing increased interest in reusable face masks, and it’s encouraging to see the UK public’s activism in this respect and their awareness on the environmental impact of single-use face masks.

“We hope more people consider the reusable alternative where possible, always making sure that safety certifications are being met.”

Ditch your disposable face mask and save £190 in 2021

A simple face mask “hack” of swapping disposable single use face masks for washable ones will save the average person £190 in 2021 – and reduce the amount of non-recyclable masks being send to landfill – the weight equivalent of FIVE Eiffel Towers!

“Lets face it, we will be wearing face masks throughout 2021, so now is the time to swap single use masks for washable ones – the cost saving is £190 for a year, a huge amount of money for many people this Christmas”, explains Charlotte Green from recycling company TradeWaste.co.uk

  • A single use disposable face mask costs 18p
  • Over a year using 3 per day this is £197.10
  • A washable face mask costs £1.40 (Pack of 5 is £6.99)
  • If you can use 5 masks by washing them, then over a year this is a saving of £190.11

“The saving is more than monetary value though, because in 2021 the UK we will send 19.2 billion face masks to landfill – that’s 5 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower – the numbers are absolutely terrifying”, explains Green

What can we do to prevent environmental harm caused by disposable face masks?

The main thing to remember is that if we choose an alternative before buying a disposable mask then we have prevented manufacture and therefore halted much of the environmental harm.

The main issue with disposable masks is that they cannot be efficiently recycled, and therefore many of the billions of masks we use simply end up being buried in the ground.

TradeWaste.co.uk recommends the following alternatives:

  1. Buy a washable face mask made from either recycled materials or washable cotton
  2. Use a paper facemask that can be recycled – these are becoming more widely available
  3. Use a recycling service which accepts disposable face masks made from plastic, such as dust masks, FFP2 (or so-called “N95”), FFP3 and surgical masks – this is the best option for medical users

TradeWaste.co.uk‘s Charlotte Green concluded: “The important message we are putting out is simple – stop buying single use face masks, and use washable ones instead. We are facing an environmental disaster – and the alternative will save you £190; it’s a no brainer!”

53 million disposable face masks are sent to landfill every single day

The UK is binning an incredible 53,000,000 disposable face masks every single day, with reports that many face masks are ending up being carelessly discarded in the street ending up in streams and rivers.

“If you walk around any street now you will see disposable face masks being blown around with leaves in the gutter – they are the new cigarette butt – people are simply chucking them after use.

“We know that 53 million are being sent to landfill each day – but just how many end-up elsewhere is the very scary part”, says Charlotte Green from waste company TradeWaste.co.uk

Now that face mask wearing has become a standard part of lockdown life, their disposal is being highlighted as a major new environmental crisis, with masks being found in streams, rivers, and oceans – like the modern-day plastic bottle.

Disposable face masks are typically made from plastic in 3 layers:

  • Non-woven plastic fabric outer
  • Melt-blown polymer filter such as polypropylene
  • Non-woven plastic fabric inner
  • Other – cotton ear loops and metal nose piece

The other issue with a disposable mask are the ear loops and metal piece used to grip the nose – often thrown with these in-tact they can become entangled around animals and wildlife, especially so when they end up in water courses.

A survey of 4,500 members of the UK public by TradeWaste.co.uk found that the numbers of masks being discarded daily are truly staggering:

  • 58.8 million face masks are being used daily in the UK currently (November)
  • 10% are reused, 90% are discarded
  • 53.3 million face masks are sent to landfill each day
  • Globally we are use 129 billion face masks per month

The main problem is that they are specifically designed to be chucked away after each use. In a medical setting this is controlled, but out in our towns and cities this is not controlled, and generally masks are thrown in residential and street waste bins for landfill.

“We as a country need better disposal methods to cope with the huge numbers of disposable masks being thrown away – most cannot be recycled. If restrictions and mask use continue then this issue is going to get progressively worse – action needs to be taken today”, concludes TradeWaste.co.uk‘s Charlotte Green.