EXPERTS have backed the decision to keep mask rules in Scotland following outcry from business leaders.

Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday masks would remain mandatory in Scotland because of concern around record Covid infection rates.

But the First Minister’s cautious approach saw her criticised by industry bodies for delaying a “return to normal”.

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Public health experts have backed her view and warned “this virus has not left us”.

Professor Andrew Elder, the president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said the leading medical society backed Sturgeon’s decision.

He said: “Given the high and increasing number of Covid-19 cases, it is sensible for face coverings to remain mandatory for now in shops and on public transport, as the First Minister has announced.

“The College notes that face coverings, alongside good hand and respiratory hygiene, and simple social distancing can all help to reduce the spread of Covid-19. That is why we support the Scottish Government’s decision to retain mandatory face coverings in shops and on public transport.”

The situation in hospitals, he added, was causing concern among medics.

“Those of us working in the NHS are seeing rising hospital admissions, and we are seeing first-hand the continuing impact of Covid-19 on peoples’ health – including our health and social care staff,” he added.

“We thank the public of Scotland for their collective efforts to date but urge them to continue to be cautious, given the high prevalence of the virus. Please continue to remember the basics – hand hygiene, and wearing a face covering, especially in crowded spaces.

“Older people and those of all ages made vulnerable to infection because of pre-existing conditions remain particularly at risk – we should remember that this remains the case. This virus has not left us.”

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Dr Lewis Morrison, the chair of the British Medical Association in Scotland, backed “erring on the side of caution” while acknowledging a more general need to “return to normality”.

He said: “The BMA are clear that mask-wearing in health settings remains important given the need to do all we can to protect staff and vulnerable people.

“Beyond that, there is a careful balance to be struck between a return to normality, yet acknowledging there are rising case numbers and that is putting extra pressure on the NHS.

“Getting that right is a difficult task, which the Government needs to navigate by listening carefully to expert advice. 

“As health professionals, and in the face of an ongoing global pandemic we would generally recommend erring on the side of caution and providing extra layers of protection where we can and while case numbers remain high and rising.”

It comes after the Scottish Government faced fury from the business community who said it was a “bitter disappointment” masks would remain mandatory.

Dr Liz Cameron, the head of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Further delay will put Scotland’s recovery into reverse gear again, create confusion, dent business confidence, putting the buffers on economic growth.

“The Scottish Government must commit to the removal of all remaining restrictions as soon as possible whilst providing greater detail on what triggers sit behind the decision-making process to protect consumer and business confidence in the meantime.”