Face masks must remain an option when dealing with a high rise in Covid cases across Scotland, a leading health expert has said.
Jillian Evans, head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian, told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was time to reconsider wearing a mask to protect others.
She was speaking following calls from Hans Kluge, Europe director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), who wants masks to be reintroduced across Europe from early autumn.
Mr Kluge said new cases had trebled in the 53-country region over the past six weeks, with close to 3million new infections confirmed last week. Nearly half of all new cases worldwide are in Europe, he said, where hospital admissions due to the virus have also doubled.
Intensive care admissions remain relatively low, he said, but as infection rates in older populations continue to rise, almost 3,000 people a week are dying of Covid.
In a statement Mr Kluge said: “More than two years into the pandemic, we’re all aware of the tools we have to keep ourselves safe, assess our level of risk and take the necessary steps to protect others if we get infected.
“Make your own informed decisions. Just because a mask isn’t mandated doesn’t mean it’s prohibited.
“In the United Kingdom alone, for example, an estimated 2 million people – 3% of the population – suffer from long Covid.
“My message to governments and health authorities is to act now to prepare for the coming months.”
Responding, Ms Evans said it was time for people to be "community minded" and think of others.
She said: “When you see people not wearing masks you think it is safe to do so, and risks are low. It is turning that round, again, to think ‘What can I do for others?'”
“There are many good reasons for doing it for health purposes.”