The local post office in Colinton has announced it will close until March 24, with owners saying it is down to Scotland's remaining self-isolation rules.
Colinton Village Enterprise SCIO’s Facebook page posted on Friday 18 March that: “Unfortunately OLIVE Deli & Post is closed until March 24th.”
Alongside their post was a picture of a sign that had been placed on the door of OLIVE Deli & Post with the following information: “Temporary Closure.
“Apologies for the inconvenience.
“Due to current Covid-19 self-isolation rules, this branch will be closed until the estimated date of Friday March 24.
“Your nearest alternative Post Offices are: Craiglockhart, 140 Colinton Rd, EH14 1BZ; Colinton Mains, 90 Colinton Mains Dr, EH13 9BJ and Wester Hailes, Westside Plaza, EH14 2SW.”
According to the NHS Scotland inform website, the Scottish Government rules around self-isolating are as follows: “If you have symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test. If you test positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started.
“If you've had a positive PCR or LFD test result but no symptoms, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your test. You may go on to develop symptoms over the next few days, but you don't need a confirmatory PCR test, unless advised by a clinician, and you don't need to re-start your isolation period. If you develop any of the main symptoms of coronavirus and you are concerned, or your symptoms are worsening, phone 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency phone 999.
“You may still have a cough or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste for several weeks. People with symptoms are very unlikely to infect others after the 10th day of illness. Once you've completed your 10 day self-isolation, you can return to work and your usual activities (regardless of your LFD result) as long as you feel better and do not have a high temperature. You must continue to follow the Scottish Government’s coronavirus advice.”
They add that when ending self-isolation, people should consider the following: “You may be able to end self-isolation early if you have 2 negative LFD test results in a row from day 6 onwards, taken 24 hours apart. For example, a negative LFD test result on day 6 and 7, day 7 and 8, or day 8 and 9. You should report your LFD test result after taking each test, regardless of the result. To be able to end self-isolation, you should also make sure you:
do not have a high temperature
follow the guidance for staying safe when you've ended self-isolation
“You should not take an LFD test before day 6 of your self-isolation period.
“You should only end self-isolation after 2 negative LFD test results in a row.
“This guidance applies regardless of age, vaccination status or previous infection.
“If you continue to test positive on LFD tests, or choose not to take LFD tests to end self-isolation early, you can return to work and your usual activities on the 11th day after your symptoms started, as long as you feel better and do not have a high temperature.
“If you’re still testing positive during a period of isolation and, rightly, reporting the positive test results, you may receive repeated isolation information from Test and Protect. You should not restart your isolation period, instead, you should continue to follow the advice you received following your first positive test.”
For more information on isolation - please visit the link here.
