Nicola Sturgeon took to the Scottish Parliament today (February 22) to update the public on Scotland's covid recovery plan.
Many will be aware the rules down south are changing, with PM Boris Johnson announcing that the remaining covid restrictions in England will be removed and the legal requirement to self-isolate will be scrapped.
Whilst the advice around testing positive and isolating will remain, it will remain as such and nobody will be legally required to isolate if they have the virus in England.
But whilst all this is happening in England, what is happening here in Scotland?
Here's what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said...
Scotland's covid cases - February 22, 2022
- 6,427 new cases from lateral flow and PCR tests. 1,060 people are in hospital - nine more than yesterday
- 25 people are in intensive care – the same as yesterday.
18 deaths have been registered of people with covid in the past 24 hours.
New covid strategy
At the beginning of the pandemic, the message was that we had to try and "suppress the virus to the lowest possible level and keep it there" however this is now being changed to "manage covid effectively, primarily through adaptations and health."
Nicola Sturgeon explained that the change is possible because of "widespread vaccination coverage and better treatments which have reduced the direct harms of the virus.
"As a result, using restrictions to suppress infection is no longer as necessary as it once was. And given the wider harms caused by protective measures, it is no longer as justifiable either.
"The strategic framework therefore makes clear that in future we will rely less on legally imposed measures to control the virus - and more on vaccines, treatments, and sensible adaptations and good public health behaviours."
As a result, people are being urged to do as much as they can, such as taking the vaccine, in a bid to keep in line with expert advice and putting less strain on the NHS.
Vaccination of five to 11-year-olds
Last week the JCVI recommended that all five to 11-year-olds should be eligible for the vaccine.
The FM confirmed that vaccination appointments would be rolled out from mid-March with most appointments being available in the evening, at weekends or during the Easter school holidays to help parents manage their time and not stress about booking time off.
Another covid booster
Yesterday, the Scottish Government also accepted the JCVI advice on protecting those at highest risk meaning care home residents, those over 75 and everyone over 12 who is immunosuppressed will be offered an additional booster.
In order to have this six months must have passed since your last jag.
This phase will also be rolled out next month.
What if a new covid variant is detected in Scotland?
Whilst remaining restrictions will be scrapped by the end of March, the FM said that "if a new variant emerged that was more transmissible and more severe, perhaps with the ability to evade vaccine or natural immunity, this would likely be classified as high risk.
"In those circumstances, we might advise people to limit social contacts for a period; and to work from home where possible; and we may introduce some temporary protections for high risk settings.
"If a new variant was either more transmissible or more severe, but not both - as is the case with omicron - the initial threat assessment would likely be medium.
"In these circumstances, there may be a legal requirement to wear face coverings in some settings. And we might issue guidance for businesses and service providers on reasonable measures to reduce the spread of covid on their premises.
"Lastly, in the absence of a new variant, or if a new variant was neither more transmissible nor more severe - and if vaccines continue to be effective - the threat classification would likely remain low. Obviously, this is the level we hope to reach and stay at on a sustainable basis.
"In these circumstances, there would be no legally imposed protective measures. Instead, we would continue to advise individuals and organisations to adopt sensible public health behaviours."
Scrapping of covid certification scheme
The FM confirmed that the covid certification scheme requiring certain venues and events to check the vaccine or test status of attendees will come to an end next Monday (February 28).
The app will remain operational and any business who wishes to continue with the scheme can do so.
Scrapping of face masks
The scrapping of face coverings has long been a topic of debate.
The FM said that they advice will remain for people to wear their face masks in certain indoor settings and on public transport however legally, this requirement will come to an end on March 21.
This is all based on the current situation and will go ahead so long as there are no "significant adverse developments."
The FM added that on the same date they also expect to "lift the legal requirement for businesses, places of worship and service providers to have regard to Scottish government guidance on covid, and to take reasonably practicable measures set out in the guidance.
"And the legal requirement on businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details is also expected to end on March 21."
Covid testing in Scotland
The FM said that it is up to the Prime Minister to decide how to tackle covid in England but expressed her "frustration" at the way it was being handled by their government.
She also announced that Scotland would move from mass population testing to a more targeted testing system.
She explained: "I will set out our commitment to continued access to PCR and lateral flow testing free of charge and our continued advice that those testing positive should isolate, while we transition to a system of testing that is more targeted but which retains adequate capacity to support surveillance; rapid response to the emergence of new variants; effective outbreak management; and access to the best care and treatment for those who need it.
"I want to give an assurance that the Scottish Government is determined to retain a robust testing
system capable of providing Scotland with strong resilience against future covid threats, and firmly aligned with public health advice and the principles underpinning our National Health Service."
Free covid testing
The FM said that if you have covid symptoms you should continue to go for a PCR test which will remain free of charge.
Even if you don't have symptoms the advice still remains that people should be testing regularly.
However Ms Sturgeon also noted that instead of asking people to test before going anywhere to mix with others, from Monday (February 28) the advice will revert by asking people to test at least twice a week especially if you are going to an event or place with crowds.
She added: "Indeed, we consider it important - in line with the principle of healthcare free at the point of use - that they should remain free of charge for any circumstance in which government recommends testing."
Self-isolation rules in Scotland
The FM said that the government will continue to ask those who test positive for covid to isolate for the recommended period adding they will "continue to make self isolation support payments available to those who are eligible."
The reason for keeping this in place is because it can help limit the overall transmission of the virus and keep workplaces safe as well as protecting those most at risk of serious harm.
