Coronavirus in Scotland: Masks to be made mandatory in 'workplace settings'

Masks in certain workplace settings are to be mandated after Scotland was placed into a two week hospitality lockdown to battle rising COVID cases.

The First Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government are looking at ways to further implement the advice to wear a face covering indoors.

Face masks are currently required in Scottish school corridors and inside shops and hospitality settings, however the First Minister said she hopes they can be "mandated" in certain work settings.

Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing today, the First Minister said that face masks are to be made mandatory in 'staff canteens and workplace corridors' this week.

Talking about what the government plans to do to ensure there isn't a resurgence in the virus after the hospitality restrictions are lifted, the First Minister said she would introduce: "new regulations to extend the mandatory use of face coverings, in indoor communal settings, for example staff canteens and corridors in work places."

Young woman in the office putting on the protective mask, to prevent coronavirus from spreading (Getty Images)

She said: "What we want to do is to use the two weeks to secure a longer term benefit and and greater resilience as we know we will be living with this virus for some time yet to come.

"Later this week we will introduce new regulations to extend the mandatory use of face coverings in indoor communal settings in indoor communal settings, for example staff canteens and corridors in work places."

"We are also going to be taking action to strengthen compliance with the different stands of FACTS."

You can find all of the latest updates from today's briefing on our LIVE blog here.