Covid testing rules set to change next week
New guidance for ‘different phase’of the pandemic
Changes to Scotland’s covid testing programme will come into force from next week.
The advice for Scots to take routine lateral flow tests if they have no symptoms of the virus will drop from Monday, April 18.
Regular asymptomatic testing in workplaces and education settings - including schools and universities - will end on this date too.
Asymptomatic testing will still be available in health and social care settings.
The changes to the rules comes as Scotland enters a ‘different phase’ of the pandemic, according to the Scottish Government.
“At the beginning of the pandemic - before we had the benefit of vaccinations and treatments - large scale infrastructure to test, trace and isolate on a population wide scale was required to reduce transmission, as were other widespread protective measures”, the government explained.
“We are now in a very different position with population levels of immunity and new treatments significantly reducing the direct harms of the virus.”
The changes come as part of the Scottish Government transition to end most covid testing - with further changes coming into force at the end of the month.
From the end of April, Scots will no longer be advised to seek a test if they have symptoms of the virus instead, they will be advised to stay at home if they are unwell.
Test sites will close, while contact tracing will come to an end.
Anyone visiting a care home or a hospital will be continue to be advised to do a lateral flow test in advance of their visit.
Mobile testing units and lab capacity will be retained in case of any future outbreaks and to protect higher-risk settings.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed last month that access to tests in Scotland will remain free of charge.
Meanwhile, experts have listed four unusual covid symptoms said to be impacting a number of people across the UK.
The ZOE Covid study has noted more than 21 symptoms experienced by people after they have tested positive for the virus.
These have included common ones, such as a fever, a persistent cough, loss of taste and smell, headaches and fatigue.
But there are four rare symptoms that a handful of people have experienced when they have contracted the virus.
These are rashes, delirium, changes to the mouth and tongue and so-called “covid fingers and toes”.