COVID-19

Last Updated: 17/03/2022

Current Scottish Government Guidelines

Socialising

You must continue to wear a face covering in most indoor public areas and public transport (unless exempt).
Vaccine certification will no longer be legally required to enter venues. The app will remain available, and any business that wishes to continue certification on a voluntary basis to reassure customers are able to do so.
As of Monday the 21st of March, remaining legal requirements on the the collection of customer details for contact tracing purposes, and for businesses, service providers and places of worship to follow COVID-19 guidelines will be lifted.
One metre physical distancing in hospitality and leisure settings and table service are not required, and attendance limits at indoor events are removed. Non-professional indoor contact sports have resumed and nightclubs can reopen.
For social interaction at home and in indoor public places, the maximum of three households is lifted. We are still asked to be cautious and to limit contacts where possible, and take lateral flow tests before meeting people from other households.
Continuing baseline measures include a requirement to collect customer details in hospitality settings, good ventilation, and the use of face coverings in public places and on public transport.
Large outdoor events have resumed without physical distancing or capacity limits. Events with more than 1,000 will check half for vaccine passports, which will now include the booster jab.
Distance Aware badges and lanyards are available free from all community and mobile libraries and Asda stores. Those at high risk, or anyone who feels worried about mixing with others, can show that they would welcome additional space and extra care while out and about.
Isolation requirements for most people admitted to adult care homes are being eased.
From Friday (28 January), face coverings will no longer be required for any adult taking part in organised activities with children under five. There is no change to guidance for schools, due to continuing high levels of infection in under 15 year olds.

Testing and Self Isolation

Access to lateral flow and PCR tests will continue to be free of charge.
At the moment, if you test positive on a lateral flow test, you must now self-isolate for seven days. You do not need to book a PCR test.
Household contacts of anyone testing positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for seven days, regardless of the result of a PCR test.
Close contacts not in the same household must take a PCR test as soon as possible. As long as they have no symptoms, and two weeks have passed since their second dose of the vaccine, they can end self-isolation early if their PCR test comes back negative.
Anyone travelling to the UK must take a PCR or lateral flow test in the two days before their departure, and take a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in the UK. They must then self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must also take a a PCR test eight days after arrival.
Pupils and teachers in secondary schools must continue to wear face coverings, and maintain one-metre social distance. All school staff and secondary school pupils should take a lateral flow test twice a week.
Lateral flow test kits can be picked up from pharmacies and collection sites. You can view a list of places in your area here. Alternatively, you can request to have tests delivered to your home online.

From the 18th of April:

most people without symptoms will no longer be asked to take COVID-19 tests
free lateral flow devices (LFDs) for the purposes of twice weekly routine testing will no longer be available for the general population given the changing advice, but will continue to be free for any purpose for which testing continues to be advised – for clinical care, for health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals
until the end of April, people with symptoms should still isolate and get a PCR test
vaccinated close contacts of someone with COVID-19 should continue to test daily for seven days with LFDs

Vaccination

Drop in clinics

Anyone who is over 18, or in one of the previous at-risk groups (16+ with health condition, unpaid carer or household contact of immunosuppressed) can now attend a drop in for their first or second dose or their COVID booster from 12 weeks after their second dose.

12 to 17-year-olds can now attend a drop in clinic for their first dose or for their second dose as long as it has been 12 weeks since their first dose. Some people aged 12 to 15 will receive an appointment letter for their second dose in the post as these had already been issued before the guidance changed to offer drop-in jabs. Those who have already been given a date for their second jab can call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013 to bring the appointment forward.

12 to 15-year-olds who are in an at-risk group can drop in for their second dose as long as it has been 8 weeks since their first dose. People in this age group are asked to bring only one parent or carer with them to the drop-in clinic to keep the numbers attending the centres to a minimum.

You can also drop in for your booster if you are in one of the previous at-risk groups (16+ with health condition, unpaid carer or household contact of immunosuppressed) and it has been 12 weeks since your second dose.

Please remember to cancel your appointment if you are not going to attend, so that it can be given to somebody else who needs it.

COVID-19 boosters

Over 18s

If you are aged 18 or over, and it has been 12 weeks since your second vaccination, you can book an appointment for your booster at www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking or 0800 030 8013, or visit your nearest drop-in centre.

At-risk groups

People aged over 16 who have a long-term health condition such as heart, lung or kidney diseases, are an unpaid carer or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, can now book an appointment at www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking or 0800 030 8013, or visit your nearest drop-in centre. Boosters can be given a minimum of 12 weeks since your second dose.

Severely immunosuppressed

Adults aged 16 or over with a severely weakened immune system are being offered a third primary dose. They will also be offered a booster dose to extend the protection from previous doses. The booster dose can be given at least 3 months (12 weeks) after your third primary dose. You can book an appointment at www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking or 0800 030 8013.

Housebound patients

Those who are housebound have been called directly by our vaccination teams to arrange a suitable time for a home visit. Both the COVID booster and flu vaccines will be given at the same appointment if eligible. If you have not been contacted for an appointment please call 01382 423108.

COVID booster and flu vaccination appointments can be booked at www.nhsinform.scot/HSCWvaccination or visit your nearest drop-in centre.