Police in Scotland can now be tested for Covid-19 even if symptom free

Police officers in Scotland can now be tested for coronavirus if they're concerned an attack has put them at risk.

They can be checked even if they're not showing symptoms, with Community Safety Minister Ash Denham saying there is “no barrier to accessing testing.”

However, officers will first have to contact Police Scotland's HR department for them to determine if checking them is “appropriate”.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart pressed her on the issue in Holyrood, saying “unfortunately some officers report being spat at and coughed at in a disgusting attempt to spread coronavirus”.

Ms Denham said when officers have such a Covid-19 interaction'' the force can “offer facilities for an assessment and where appropriate a test''.

The minister confirmed they “do not have to be symptomatic in order to access that testing”.

She stressed: “Any police officer that has a Covid interaction, if they are concerned about that, as many of them would be, even if they are not symptomatic they can go and speak to Police Scotland HR and they can get access to a test.

“There is no barrier to accessing testing.

“The police are at the front-lines of this, they are out there putting themselves at risk on a daily basis in order to keep the rest of us safe.

“We want them to have confidence that if they are concerned they can get access to testing, we would expect them to be able to do that.”

Ms Denham added: “Any police officer or member of staff who is concerned about their health or their well-being following an assault of any kind to do with the Covid-19 situation, what they need to do is contact Police Scotland's HR department to be risk assessed and following that a decision would be made on whether testing is appropriate for that individual.”

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Police officers and staff are playing a vital role in the work to protect the NHS and save lives, but assault is not simply part of that job.

“Therefore, it's important that we do everything we can to protect our people and I'm delighted that the Scottish Government has agreed to our request that officers and staff can have access to tests in these circumstances.”

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