Evidence for COVID-19 face masks: FOI release

Information requested

1. Have the Scottish Government ever consulted any industrial hygenists or occupational health and hygiene specialists (example link provided) to assess the safety and efficacy of masking to reduce the spread of COVID-19, if so what was the outcome ?
2. Since 2020 till present have the Scottish Government ever conducted any risk assessments in relation to population mask wearing for adults, children in school and healthcare workers?

Response

Response to Request 1

The answer to your request is as follows:

With regards to the safety and efficacy of use of face coverings - for the public in non-clinical settings - to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Scottish Government has not directly consulted specialists such as those highlighted but decisions during the pandemic were informed by advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). The Scottish Government applied the advice from SAGE and other appropriate sources of evidence, using it to inform local decisions in Scotland. Further information can be found as part of a previous FOI release (FOI/ 202000063339), published on 19 15 September 2020 - Risk Assessment COVID-19 face mask policy: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Some of this evidence can be accessed via the links below.

On 4 June 2020, SAGE discussed mitigating measures which included the use of face coverings. You can find further information in the meeting minutes which are available on the UK Government website.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/892043/S0484_Transmission_of_SARS-CoV- 2_and_Mitigating_Measures.pdf

On 5 June 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released updated advice on the use of face coverings. The guidance advised that, to prevent Covid-19 transmission effectively in areas of community transmission, governments should encourage the general public to wear face coverings in specific situations and settings as part of comprehensive approach to suppress Covid-19 transmission. You can find a copy of this guidance on the WHO website.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-inthe-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

On 24 July 2020, UK Parliament released a summary of the relevant SAGE reports on face coverings. This can be found on the UK Parliament website. https://post.parliament.uk/covid-19-july-update-on-face-masks-and-face-coverings-for-the-general-public/

On the 21 August 2020, the WHO published evidence on the use of face coverings for children within the community. This evidence can be found on the WHO website.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC_Masks-Children-2020.1

On 15 September, SAGE NERVTAG-EMG provided updated advice on the use of face coverings. You can find further information in the meeting minutes which are available on the UK Government website.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/923607/s0760-4a-duration-wearing-face-coverings-170920.pdf

On 1 October 2020, SAGE concluded that to mitigate against aerosol transmission, enhanced use of face coverings should be considered alongside ventilation for reducing far-field aerosol transmission risks. You can find further information in the meeting minutes which are available on the UK Government website.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/931034/S0798_Sixtieth_SAGE_meeting_on_Covid- 19.pdf

On 1 December 2020 WHO published updated advice on the use of face coverings in the community. You can access the most up to date guidance from WHO.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

On 22 December 2020, SAGE-EMG, SPI-B, Transmission Group provided updated advice on the use of face coverings as mitigating measures to reduce the spread of the new variant. You can find further information in the meeting minutes which are available on the UK Government website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emgspi-btweg-mitigations-to-reduce-transmission-of-the-new-variant-sars-cov-2-virus-22-december-2020

With regards to the safety and efficacy of use of face masks - for healthcare workers - to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Scottish Government. The COVID-19 Nosocomial Review Group - which was set up to provide clinical advice to the Scottish Government – included an Occupational Health and Safety Director as a member. The Occupational Health Lead Clinicians Group were also consulted on facemask changes. The advice provided from these sources was then utilised alongside a range of evidence and clinical advice to develop briefings and options for Scottish Government Ministers considerations.

With regards to the safety and efficacy of the use of face coverings in schools, the Coronavirus (COVID 19): Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues provided expert opinions on the use of face masks in schools. The minutes and membership are available on the Coronavirus (COVID 19): Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Response to Request 2

Scottish Government did not undertake risk assessments as part of policy development for the use of face coverings in non-clinical settings for the public. Scottish Government did undertake relevant and appropriate Impact Assessments as part of policy development for the use of face coverings in non-clinical settings for the public. Equalities Impact Assessments (EQIA) were undertaken for all of the relevant Regulations listed below, Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments (BRIA), Children’s Wellbeing and Rights Impact Assessments (CRWIA) and Island Communities Impact Assessments (ICIA) were undertaken when deemed necessary and appropriate. Face Covering regulations and links to Impact Assessments are published on legislation.gov.uk website detailed below.

June 22 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (revoked) – Amendment No. 4 2020/182 – introduction of mandatory face coverings on public transport across Scotland. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and partial BRIA for legislation.

July 10 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 7) Regulations 2020 (revoked) - Amendment No. 7 2020/210 – introduction of face coverings in shops. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and BRIA for legislation.

7 August 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (revoked) - Amendment No. 10 2020/236 introduces face coverings in public indoor places. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and BRIA for legislation.

27 August 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 13) Regulations 2020 (revoked) - Amendment No. 13 – 2020/261 – amends principal regulations, with the effect that face coverings must be worn in indoor fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres, and indoor skating rinks. The Regulations also provided a new reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering, this new exemption is for the purpose of exercise, face coverings were no longer required when exercise is being undertaken. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and BRIA for legislation.

14 September 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (revoked) - 2020/279 - Section 12 requirement to wear FC on public transport and certain public places. Legislation on continued mandatory face coverings on public transport and certain public places. Includes detail on removal of exemptions and new exemptions. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA for legislation.

15 October 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (revoked) - 2020/325 – introduced mandatory use of face coverings in workplace canteens from Friday 16 October, and in communal workplace areas, such as corridors and social spaces from Monday 19 October. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and BRIA for legislation.

27 May 2021
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 25) Regulations 2021 - Amendment No. 25 2021/224 - Indoor organised activity for adults now permitted in Level 2. Face coverings can be removed when receiving a close contact service that requires access to nose/mouth area. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and BRIA and ICIA for legislation.

5 August 2021
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021
2021/277 – persons in specified indoor places must wear a face covering unless a specific exemption applies and persons who use a passenger transport service or passenger transport service premises to wear a face covering unless a specific exemption applies. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA and BRIA and CRWIA for legislation.

16 December 2021
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 5) Regulations 2021 (legislation.gov.uk) - Amendment No 5. 2021/475 - extends the distance from 1 metre to 2 metres where an exemption from wearing a face covering applies in certain indoor settings. This includes in the workplace; when leading an act of worship; rehearsing or performing or in certain parts of a marriage ceremony. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA, BRIA and CRWIA for legislation.

31 March 2022
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 6) Regulations 2022 - Amendment No. 6 2022/123 - removes the requirement for a person who enters or remains indoors within a place of worship to wear a face covering, to wear face coverings at marriage ceremonies, civil partnership registrations, funerals and commemorative events related to the end of a person’s life. Regulations are accompanied by EQIA for legislation.

14 April 2022
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Revocation (No. 2) Regulations 2022 Revocation (No. 2) 2022/133 - revokes the Principal Regulations and therefore removes the remaining requirements for persons to wear a face covering on public transport and in certain indoor places, along with the connected enforcement provisions.

Current Guidance for the public on face coverings in non-clinical settings, Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Face coverings - Respiratory infections including Coronavirus (COVID-19): staying well and protecting others - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Formal risk assessments were not undertaken when changing the guidance on the use of face masks by health and social care staff. However, the policy development process was based on weighing up the risks and benefits, and on clinical and public health advice from Public Health Scotland and Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland who considered the risks and benefits for the relevant population. There is no current SG guidance on the use of face masks in health and social care settings. The last update has been archived and can be found here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): use of face coverings in social care settings including adult care homes - gov.scot (webarchive.org.uk). COVID-19 the use of face masks in schools: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Government did not undertake risk assessments as part of policy development for the use of face coverings for children in school. Scottish Government did undertake relevant and appropriate Impact Assessments as part of policy development for the use of face coverings in schools. Further information can be found as part of a previous FOI release (FOI/202100227918), published on 22 September 2021 - COVID-19 the use of face masks in schools: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). After September 2021 there were some updated impact assessments on protective measures, including the use of face masks:

6 April 2022 – Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment
Routine protective measures in schools, early learning and childcare (ELC) settings and daycare of children's services: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

6 April 2022 – EQIA, Island Communities Impact Assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment
Routine protective measures in schools, early learning and childcare (ELC) settings and daycare of children's services: impact assessments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.