COVID-19 creation, outbreak and mask-wearing queries: FOI release

Information requested

What has the Scottish Government done to find out who was responsible for Covid creation?

What action has the Scottish Government taken internationally to prevent similar outbreak in the future?

What evidence the Scottish Government holds that mandatory masks during the Covid outbreak were not harming the persons wearing them?

Response

Q1 - What has the Scottish Government done to find out who was responsible for Covid creation?

The information you have requested is available from sources already publicly accessible.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

The information you have requested is available from a previously published FOI response which can be accessed here: Origination of COVID-19, vaccinations, testing and wider implications: FOI release - gov.scot

Q2 - What action has the Scottish Government taken internationally to prevent similar outbreak in the future?

The answer to your question is:

The main measure the international community has put in place since the COVID-19 pandemic is the Pandemic Accord. The Accord is an international treaty and is therefore for the UK Government to negotiate and enact, but the Scottish Government is supportive of it. Pandemics do not respect international borders, and so international cooperation is required to deal with them.

For more information please visit: WHO Pandemic Agreement - Global

Q3 - What evidence the Scottish Government holds that mandatory masks during the Covid outbreak were not harming the persons wearing them?

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Previous FOI responses have addressed concerns over the safety of face masks. These can be accessed here:
Evidence for COVID-19 face masks: FOI release - gov.scot,
COVID restrictions in Scotland: FOI release - gov.scot.

In addition, potential risks associated with wearing a face covering were considered by the UK Government’s New and Emerging Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG). Their advice can be accessed here:
Duration of wearing of face coverings.

The Scottish Government also carried out a series of impact assessments throughout the period in which face‑covering requirements were in place and these are publicly available at the links below.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/182/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/210/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/236/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/251/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/261/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/279/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/325/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/374/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/193/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/224/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/252/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/277/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/475/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2022/29/resources
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2022/123/resources

About FOI

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