Nicola Sturgeon has been warned by police about the law around the face cover in Scotland after she did not wear a mask to a barber shop on Saturday, in violation of her own regulations.
The first minister was reported to Scottish police after footage of her joking with staff and pretending to shave a customer while campaigning in East Kilbride appeared in a crowded shop with no face covering.
Sturgeon apologized after police issued a statement. She said it was a momentary mistake and quickly realized she had to wear a mask before posing for photographers.
“I accept that not wearing a face mask for even a few seconds was a mistake on my part and I regret it. After receiving complaints about this, the Scottish police contacted me.
“They would do this to everyone else in these circumstances, and they were absolutely right to treat me no differently than any other citizen. I explained that the mistake was inadvertent and the police confirmed that the matter was closed.
Scottish police tweeted that officers visited Sturgeon after the complaint. “Local officials spoke with the first minister to remind her how important it is to wear a face mask when there is a legal requirement to do so,” the statement said.
Local officials spoke with the first minister to remind her how important it is to wear a face mask when there is a legal requirement to do so. pic.twitter.com/KEAjUaEQq5
– Police of Scotland (@PoliceScotland) April 18, 2022
“Given the circumstances surrounding this incident, the Scottish police are pleased that no further action is needed. This is in line with our proportional approach during the pandemic. “
The incident happened less than 48 hours before Scotland’s strict rules on face masks were eased, becoming a recommendation for shops, public spaces and public transport, rather than mandatory.
Opposition politicians were scathing about Sturgeon’s oversight. Dr Sandesh Gulhain, a spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives on Health, said on Sunday: “She is happy to report official photos, but behind closed doors she clearly does not believe in her own rules, so why should anyone else.
“This is outright hypocrisy on the part of the first minister, who has now shown his true color.
This is the second time Sturgeon has violated Covid’s regulations. In December 2020, she said she had “no apology” after it turned out she had taken off her mask while waking up. She told MSP after the incident: “I kick very hard, probably harder than my worst critic could ever have. But more importantly, I will take care not to lose my vigilance again. “
In April 2020, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, was forced to resign after being found to have visited her holiday home in Fife twice in breach of strict blocking rules in force. at this time.
Scottish Green Party co-leaders Patrick Harvey and Lorna Slater, both now Scottish government ministers, apologized for violating household mixing rules by meeting with two party officials at a bar in Edinburgh after starting coalition talks with Sturgeon. at her official residence in April 2021.
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