Close contacts of people who have tested positive for coronavirus will no longer be required to isolate if they are fully vaccinated.
Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed that if people have received both of their vaccines, with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose, and have taken a PCR test that returns a negative result, they will not be required to self-isolate.
The First Minister made the statement as part of her confirmation that Scotland will move beyond Level 0 measures on Monday (August 9), which will see the end of the majority of legally enforced restictions.
Speaking to the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: "I will turn now to the change we propose to the current rules of self-isolation – to ensure that they remain reasonable and proportionate.
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"Let me be clear at the outset that those who have symptoms of, or test positive for, Covid will still be required to self isolate as of now.
"However, from 9 August, an adult who is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid will no longer be required automatically to self-isolate for 10 days.
"Instead, if someone is double-vaccinated - with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose – and if they have no symptoms, they should get a PCR test as soon as possible. If the PCR test is negative, self isolation can then be ended.
"Since PCR results come back quickly – frequently within 24 hours – this will greatly reduce the amount of time that many people will need to spend in self-isolation."
For children, who are not currently eligible for vaccination unless they are at a greater risk of contracting covid, similar measures are being proposed.
Young people aged five to 17 will be required to take a PCR test if they are a close contact of someone with coronavirus.
Ms Sturgeon continued: "We are proposing a similar change for people aged 17 or under – most of whom, of course, are not yet eligible for vaccination.
"If a young person aged 5 to 17 is identified as a close contact, they will need to take a PCR test – but they can end their self-isolation if they test negative. Children under the age of 5 will be encouraged but not required to take a PCR test."
