Scots urged to stay home if we're unwell as Covid self isolation rules end
Routine testing of people without Covid symptoms is ending
Last updated 1st May 2022
Scots are being urged to stay at home if we feel unwell as the self isolation restrictions come to an end after more than two years, marking a significant moment in the pandemic.
The new guidance starting today (Sunday 1st May) says those with symptoms no longer need to take a PCR and mass testing is ending, with testing sites closing and contact tracing wound up.
National Clinical Director, Professor Jason Leitch, told MFR: "This pandemic is not done with us, but it's a significant day where the routine testing of asymptomatic people stops, as well as the self isolation and contact tracing. And it gives me an opportunity to thank everybody for all the work they've done
"We still want people to be careful, but it does allow some flexibility.
"If you think you can't get to work, and it may be Covid or it may be another respiritory disease or virus, then we're suggesting you should stay off.
“And you should isolate yourself as much as possible from those around you just to stop the spread of whatever it might be.
READ MORE: Face mask rules have changed
When to stay at home
From May 1, the Scottish Government has advised that symptoms of the virus are considered to be:
- continuous cough
- continuous cough
- high temperature
- high temperature
- fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness
- muscle aches or pains
- unusual hunger
- headaches
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick.
Covid fears for the future
Prof Leitch continued: "We still have some people who are more vulnerable to this disease, and we're still going to be vaccinating more often. We're not testing the general population anymore but we are testing people in hospital, we're testing health and care workers, the people who look after our most vulnerable.
"I'm worried about new varients. I'm worried about the virus damaging us in some way. There's no sign of that just now but it could potentially happen.
"And I'm also worried about the world a little bit. We have a very good vaccination programme, but that's not the same everywhere.
Sharp decline in cases
Public Health Scotland (PHS) data published on Friday showed there were 1,435 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, down 23 on the day before.
There were 21 people in intensive care with recently confirmed coronavirus, two down on the previous day.
The weekly Covid-19 infection survey published by the Office for National Statistics showed a continued downward trend in infections.
In the week up to April 21, one in 25 people in Scotland were thought to have Covid-19, equivalent to 218,000 people, down from 281,400.