Rapid covid tests available in Scotland as restrictions lift

EVERYONE in Scotland will be able to access rapid coronavirus testing, even if they have no symptoms, from Monday to help find cases that might be missed.

Medical experts said the expansion of testing will help efforts to ease the country out of lockdown safely as it will be important to spot and prevent new outbreaks as cases emerge.

This comes at a significant time as Scotland moves to Level 3 tomorrow which means all shops can reopen, hospitality venues can serve customers indoors until 8pm, attractions such as museums can welcome visitors, and gyms will be available for use once more.

People will be able to pick up free lateral home flow test kits without an appointment from many local walk-in or drive-through test sites from 3.30pm each day, or by ordering online or by phone, for people to test themselves twice a week.

The expansion aims to find cases that would otherwise go undetected, so that anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 can self-isolate and avoid transmitting the virus to those around them.

Chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “Rapid lateral flow testing is already helping us to find cases that might otherwise have been missed, as around one in three people with Covid-19 do not show symptoms.

“That’s why it’s vital people can access testing, even if they don’t feel unwell. It will help protect the people around you, and help us avoid another return to lockdown.

“It may be tempting to think as vaccinations increase and cases drop, that testing will become less important. In fact, this will only make it more important to spot and prevent new outbreaks as cases emerge. We know from our experience of last summer just how quickly one outbreak can lead to another.”

Even though more than half the UK’s population has now been vaccinated, Dr Smith said testing is still important whether or not you’ve had the jab .

He explained: “While the latest evidence suggests vaccines provide a high level of protection against the effects of Covid-19, they don’t yet provide a guarantee that you can’t still get the virus or pass it on to others.” Each pack contains seven rapid lateral flow device tests that can provide results in around 30 minutes.

Anyone who tests positive should self-isolate with their household and order a PCR test to confirm the positive result.

Authorities said that anyone who receives a negative result should continue to follow the restrictions and guidance currently in place as a negative result is not a guarantee that someone does not have Covid-19.

Pre-departure testing covers travel to all Scottish islands.

The first test should be taken three days before travel to an island and the second on the day of departure.