Nicola Sturgeon apologises after being spotted in a pub without wearing a face mask – breaking her own Covid rules
- Scotland’s First Minister has long preached of the importance of face coverings
- She was seen standing and talking to people at a venue in Edinburgh last week
- Ms Sturgeon has since said: ‘This was a stupid mistake and I’m really sorry’
Nicola Sturgeon has apologised for breaking her own coronavirus rules after being spotted in a pub without wearing a face mask.
Scotland’s First Minister, who has long preached of how vital it is to wear a face covering in public, was seen without one at a venue in Edinburgh last week.
While seemingly at a distance from the women she was speaking to as she stood in the pub, Scottish rules dictate that a mask must be worn in bar unless seated.
Nicola Sturgeon has apologised for breaking her own coronavirus rules after being spotted in a pub without wearing a face mask
Scotland’s First Minister, who has long preached of how vital it is to wear a face covering in public, was seen without one at a venue in Edinburgh last week
Ms Sturgeon, who did wear a mask in Scottish Parliament today, said when they became compulsory in shops earlier this summer: ‘Please don’t wait until then, get into the habit now’
Speaking about the incident, which occurred after a funeral in the capital, she told the Sun: ‘This was a stupid mistake and I’m really sorry.
‘I talk every day about the importance of masks, so I’m not going to offer any excuses. I was in the wrong, I’m kicking myself and I’m sorry.’
Anyone breaching face mask rules could face a fine of £60, with penalties for repeat offences doubling all the way up to £960.
Rule-breakers can also be prosecuted and could potentially face unlimited fines.
The law states: ‘A person who commits an offence under this regulation is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.’
Ms Sturgeon, who did wear a mask in Scottish Parliament today, said when they became compulsory in shops earlier this summer: ‘Please don’t wait until then, get into the habit now.’
Face masks became mandatory in hospitality settings in Scotland in September, being set down in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.
Schedule 7 of the law explains a ‘requirement to wear face coverings in certain indoor places’, which includes pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants.
A person is exempt, however, and doesn’t need to wear a mask if they are ‘in a restaurant, cafe, bar or public house and seated at a table’.
Announcing the change in a speech, Ms Sturgeon said: ‘It is now mandatory for customers in those settings to wear face coverings when they are not eating or drinking – for example when you go into the premises and go to your table, or when you stand up to move around to go to the bathroom, for example.’