Premiership clubs have been told they can reduce testing protocols to one round per week from Monday.
Motherwell and Hamilton are amongst the clubs who were told the news by the Scottish FA Joint Response Group after they received written confirmation from the Scottish Government.
The update follows extensive documentation issued to Scottish Government regarding the Return to Training and Return to Matches protocols for professional football, information based on best practice as determined by medical colleagues around the world and from the medical sub-group of the JRG.
These documents detailed the COVID-19 specific protocols to create a bio-secure training and match environment together with extensive health screening and twice-weekly testing.
The change to once-weekly testing in elite football in Scotland from week beginning Monday, July 13 was based on the document Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): modelling the epidemic in Scotland, which confirms a downward trend in numbers of new infections, hospital and ICU use, deaths and the number of people in Scotland who could be infectious.
It confirms that numbers have fallen significantly in the last week, and estimates that numbers have been declining by around 30 per cent each week, and will continue to decline at a similar rate over the next fortnight.
The reduction in testing also comes following discussions with medical colleagues from sports governing bodies in England who resumed training and playing earlier than in Scotland and have confirmed low and decreasing numbers of positive tests in sport.
It is also in alignment with Scottish Rugby, who begin contact training on July 13 and will have a once weekly testing regime in place.
Last week, the 12 Scottish Premiership clubs carried out 936 Covid-19 tests with one positive result. Information from clubs suggests players and staff are complying with screening and hygiene protocols both within the club environment and, importantly, their family and social interactions.
Dr John MacLean, Scottish FA Medical Consultant said: “We are pleased that Scottish Government has recognised the effort clubs have made to this point with a thorough testing regime and agree that from week beginning Monday, July 13, testing can be reduced to once-weekly in line with other sports governing bodies and with consideration to the general downward trajectory of the virus in Scotland.
“This news will be warmly received by clubs but we will ensure the stringent safety measures will remain in place.”
The JRG awaits approval from Scottish Government on clubs being able to participate in bounce games and friendly matches prior to the first round of Scottish Premiership fixtures.
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