Nicola Sturgeon has issued new advice for the people of Scotland to cover their faces in some circumstances when they go out. However, her guidance has been disputed by senior UK health officials, including deputy chief scientific adviser, Professor Angela McLean who dismissed the suggestion at the Government briefing. Labour Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth was pressed by talkRADIO’s Julia Hartley-Brewer on if it was only a “matter of days” before the UK Government also issued similar coronavirus advice on masks.

He told her: “There’s increasing amounts of evidence that masks are a vital tool in fighting this virus.

“We have not had the same suggestions and advice from the UK Government as we’ve had in the Scottish government.

“But I think it’s probably heading that way.

“One of the things we’ve been asking Government is ‘well if you want us that way with masks, have you got it?'”

Mr Ashworth added: “Are they stockpiling the masks? Will people be able to access masks?

“If they’re going to tell us to wear masks the Government need to make sure they’ve got a plan in place for everybody to be able to get a mask.”

Scotland have recommended cloth coverings like scarves, not surgical masks.

They also stipulated that the masks should be used in enclosed spaces where you can’t social distance, like public transport or shops.

During her daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon told viewers: “The benefit may come mainly in cases where someone has the virus, but isn’t aware of that because they’re not experiencing any symptoms, and therefore not isolating.

“So wearing a face covering in these circumstances may reduce the chance of that person transmitting the virus onto others.

“So the Scottish Government is now recommending the use of face coverings in these limited circumstances as a precautionary measure. Given that the evidence is relatively weak, we’re not at this stage making this mandatory or suggesting that it will be enforced.”

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Professor McLean addressed the matter: “Of course, under our current circumstances, anyone who has symptoms really must stay at home, and that’s the thing people have done so brilliantly.

“But we are also concerned that some people are infected who don’t have symptoms or maybe don’t have symptoms yet.

“That is the reason SAGE has put so much effort into looking at this question.”

“But the answer is clear that the evidence is weak and the effect is small.

“We’ve passed that on to our colleagues in Government with which to make a decision.”

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