First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled a major update of Scotland’s strategic framework for the road out of the pandemic.
In parliament, Sturgeon set out a timescale for remaining legal protections to be lifted, this includes:
- current legal requirements on the use of face coverings, the collection of customer details for contact tracing purposes, and for businesses, service providers, and places of worship to have regard to guidance on Covid and to take reasonably practicable measures set out in the guidance are expected to be lifted on 21 March, subject to the state of the pandemic.
- access to lateral flow and PCR tests will continue to be free of charge, ahead of a detailed transition plan being published on the future of Scotland’s test and protect programme in March.
- People who test positive for Covid-19 will continue to be asked to self-isolate to reduce the risk of infecting other people.
- the vaccine passport will no longer be legally required from 28 February, although the app will remain available so any business that wishes to continue certification on a voluntary basis to reassure customers will be able to do so.
Sturgeon said: “Covid is unfortunately still with us and we must therefore remain vigilant and prepared for the threats it poses. But today’s new framework is an important moment in our recovery. It marks the point at which we move away, hopefully sustainably, from legal restrictions, and rely instead on sensible behaviours, adaptations, and mitigations.
“Our return to normality must go hand in hand with a continuing determination to look out for and after each other. All of us have a part to play in ensuring a safe and sustainable recovery, so please continue to follow public health advice on getting vaccinated, testing as regularly as appropriate, wearing face coverings when required or recommended, and keeping rooms ventilated.”
