People are no longer routinely required to wear facemasks in health and social care settings in Scotland as of today.

Mask use will be based on clinical need as a result of infection prevention and control advice, with staff, patients, service users and visitors no longer routinely required to wear them.

Chief nursing officer Alex McMahon said: “Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the availability of treatments, now is the right time to revise the advice on wearing masks in health and social care settings and return to pre-pandemic guidance.

“We recognise that some staff may have concerns around the withdrawal of this guidance and would expect organisations to undertake individual occupational health assessments and risk assessments as appropriate.

“We continue to be vigilant in our response to Covid-19 and encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date with the boosters available to them. We are grateful for the tireless work of health and social care teams during these challenging times and to everyone who has helped them by adhering to the guidance.”

The move follows a review of the guidance introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to protect staff, patients, service users and visitors, and recognises the risks from the virus have reduced significantly.

Louise Barnett, managing director of Renaissance Care, told Caring Times: “We have been reducing mask usage over a period of time. Most recently, masks have only been worn for personal care. It seems the sensible option, with enhanced PPE for outbreaks, as it would be for outbreaks of norovirus or flu.”

Mandatory use of masks in care homes in England was withdrawn in December 2022.