MORE than two-thirds of all customers inside Galashiels supermarkets were not wearing face coverings last week despite strong recommendations from the Scottish Government to continue doing so, a survey by the Border Telegraph has found.

As from Monday April 18 2022 people in Scotland were no longer legally required to wear asks on public transport and in most indoor public spaces.

Before that when the legislation was in place an estimated 90 per cent of customers inside the major supermarkets in the town were wearing masks.

On the day the legislation changed the number of shoppers wearing masks was roughly equal to the numbers not wearing any face covering.

On Friday April 22 and Saturday April 23 around 70% of shoppers in Asda and Tesco were not wearing masks.

This comes despite clear Scottish Government advice to continue to wear face coverings indoors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon previously said she was confident most people would continue to wear masks after the rules ease.

She said: “I’m not saying every single person will (continue to wear masks), people will make their own decisions. But I think, just as the vast majority of people have abided by all that we’ve asked of them over the last two years.

“Not because politicians have been asking or the law necessarily has required it, because people understand that the best way to protect themselves and protect those they love is to abide by these really sensible, basic precautions against the spread of a virus.”

The national clinical director Jason Leitch said: “The guidance is if you are in a crowded area inadvertently or deliberately, then put a face covering on and that will protect you and others.”