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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

No sign COP26 has become covid super-spreader event, says John Swinney

The COP26 climate conference in Glasgow has so far not caused a spike in covid cases, John Swinney has said.

The Deputy First Minister told MSPs today that based on lateral flow test results, just 0.1 per cent of those attending the SEC had become infectious by November 5.

Around 40,000 politicians, climate experts, campaigners and journalists are estimated to have arrived in Scotland for the United Nations summit, which began last week and is due to end by this weekend.

Delegates are not required to show proof of their vaccination status before attending the secure Blue Zone at the SEC - but are required to take a lateral flow test each day.

However, such results are self-declared and are not considered as robust in detecting coronavirus as PCR tests.

The opening two days of COP saw huge queues as delegates waited to clear airport-style security to gain access to the venue, with experts raising concerns the cramped conditions could help spread the virus.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Swinney said: "The summit is one of the most important gatherings of the century so far. The Scottish Government has been doing everything we can to help it make it a success.

"The Scottish Government has been working very closely with the UK Government, and partners in Scotland including Glasgow City Council, Transport Scotland, NHS Scotland and Police Scotland, to ensure the Summit is delivered safely.

"Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to staging this unique event.

"The scale and worldwide draw of COP26 poses risk of spread of Covid-19 both within delegates and to or from the local population of Scotland and the UK.

"A comprehensive and exceptional package of mitigation measures has been in place to ensure the event is delivered safely, helping to protect the welfare of everyone involved and the wider community."

He added: "Of course, while public health measures can mitigate the spread of covid to an extent, there remains a risk that COP26 could increase the spread of the virus.

"That is why COVID-19 continues to be closely monitored by all relevant agencies and why the Scottish Government is closely involved in operational decisions during the event.

"As of November 5, the cumulative test positivity results for Blue Zone pass-holders, based on lateral flow tests, was around 0.1%.

"However, we are only just passed the midpoint of the conference and we continue to monitor the situation carefully. We will provide a further update following the conclusion of the COP, unless there is a need to do so earlier."

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