The Scottish Government yesterday announced changes to the rules on testing and self-isolation as Scotland enters into a ‘different phase’ of the Covid pandemic.
Scots will no longer be required to take a PCR test if they have symptoms of the virus as the testing programme continues to wind down further from May 1.
People will instead be advised to stay at home if they have any ailments listed in an expanded list of symptoms.
Diarrhoea, shortness of breath and runny nose are among those added to the list of symptoms, which already included a fever, continuous cough and changes to taste or smell.
Here is everything you need to know about the guidance on self-isolation from Sunday, May 1 onwards.
Adults
The Scottish Government is advising adults to stay at home and avoid contact with others if they have symptoms of Covid or any other respiratory infection.
They are recommended to remain at their home until they no longer have a temperature or until they no longer feel unwell.
If the person receives a positive Covid test, then they should stay at home for five days after they have taken the test or from symptom onset (whichever is earliest).
Day one of those five days will begin from the day after they took their test from symptom onset.
If Scots continue to remain unwell following the five day period, they should continue to stay at home until they feel better or do not have a temperature.
Scots who are unwell should contact their healthcare provider if they have been asked to come in for in-person appointments with a doctor or dentist.
The government also advises speaking to your employer about the options available to you if you feel unwell.
Adults should also speak to people they may have been in close contact with in the days leading up to their symptoms.
Children and young people (aged 18 and under)
The advice on staying at home is slightly different for younger Scots.
Children, who are otherwise well but have mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, can continue to attend their education setting.
The guidance adds: “Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can.
“They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.”
Children who receive a positive Covid test should stay at home for three days after the day they took the test or from symptom onset.
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