Scottish elderly do not have to isolate

‘No bingo, no pubs,’ but we won’t follow UK route

Scotland is not planning on isolating over-70s over coronavirus fears, the country’s health secretary has said, amid criticism of the UK Government’s communication and strategy.

The UK’s health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that elderly people are likely to be asked to self-isolate for up to four months – news that emerged from anonymous briefings (see story on page 6).

However, Jeane Freeman, his counterpart in Scotland, said the Scottish Government were not planning on isolating the elderly but would be “asking them to reduce social contact”.

Mr Hancock described the plans for over-70s to be forced to stay at home as a “very big ask”, but said it is a measure for their own “self-protection”.

Asked about whether Scotland would follow suit, Ms Freeman said: “The additional measures that we’ve always talked about are about reducing contact for those over 70 and in their 80s, asking them to reduce their social contact because they are one of the groups who are most at risk of this virus making them seriously ill.

“The other group is people who have underlying health conditions whose immune system is suppressed. It’s not isolation, it’s asking them to reduce social contact.

“We don’t want people who are elderly to be stuck in their homes alone not contacting anyone, with their families not able to be in touch with them and to help them. What we’re saying to them is, reduce your contact.”

On Twitter, Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch said there is no plan to ask over-70s to completely socially isolate. He added: “We are working on guidance for the over-70s to be asked to reduce social contact for their safety.

“So no bingo, no pubs... but family visits and neighbours etc.”

Quoting Mr Leitch’s tweet, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “These are decisions for the Scottish Government but we are seeking to take them on a consistent UK four-nations basis. We will set out the detail of exactly what we are asking people to do, and when, in an open and orderly way.”

Yesterday, the Scottish Government updated its policy on testing people showing symptoms of coronavirus, effectively scaling it back to NHS staff and those admitted to hospital.

Ms Freeman said: “If you’ve got any of the symptoms of Covid-19 – that’s the dry persistent cough or a fever – stay at home for seven days.

“You don’t need to go to your GP, you don’t need to phone 111. Stay at home. You won’t be tested. If your condition worsens, then you should go to your GP.”

Scotland has 153 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to latest figures.

Last night it emerged that Perth High School is closing from today until Thursday for a deep clean after an “individual” at the city’s biggest secondary developed symptoms.

Dunblane High School has also closed to all pupils and staff after a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.

Angus Council said Murroes Primary would be close from today to Wednesday “in order to undertake a deep clean after a suspected positive case of coronavirus (Covid-19) related to the school”.

In North Lanarkshire, six care home residents have been diagnosed with coronavirus at Highgate Care Home.

A spokesperson said it had put in place “strict infection control measures” after it identified the positive cases of Covid-19.