Angela Crawley MP has encouraged her constituents to wear face coverings when shopping or in other enclosed spaces, such as when using public transport.
This follows the announcement from the Scottish Government that face coverings will become mandatory in the retail sector from the 10th of July.
Wearing a face covering where 2 metre distancing is not possible provides and additional level of protection against transmission of covid-19 to other people in close proximity, especially for those who may be more at risk.
A face covering can be anything from a mask to a scarf and there are exemptions for people who have a health condition, disabled people and those who need to communicate with a person who has difficulties communicating.
Face coverings should also not be used for children under the age of five years.
Commenting, Angela said:
“Physical distancing and hand hygiene are the most important and effective things we can all do to prevent the spread of coronavirus, so the wearing of face coverings should not be used as an alternative to these other precautions.
“However, it is the case that they offer an additional level of protection, particularly in enclosed spaces where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
“The Scottish Government are making it the law to wear a covering from next week, but please do not wait until then to use one.
“We have all done so much to bring the transmission rate down to a level where a degree of normality can return and wearing a face covering is a further tool that will help keep the level of transmission down, continue to protect our NHS and help more of our economy open up.”