Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that from August 9, adults who are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid will no longer automatically be required to self-isolate for ten days.
Instead, those who are pinged but have received a double dose of the vaccine - with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose – will be able to end their self-isolation as soon as they have a negative PCR test.
This will allow some Scots to be able to get a negative test result in as little as 24 hours, thus limiting the amount of time that people previously spent self-isolating.
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The First Minister added that a similar system will also be adopted for young people aged 5 to 17 who are identified as a close contact.
Children will now need to take a PCR test – but they can end their self-isolation if they test negative.
Nicola Sturgeon stated that children under the age of five will be encouraged but not required to take a PCR test.
Speaking live from the Scottish Parliament today Nicola Sturgeon said: “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. "
