Question reference: S5W-34015
- Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 11 December 2020
-
Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 11 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the length of time that contacts of people testing positive for COVID-19 and international travellers arriving from non-exempt countries are required to self-isolate for.
Answer
We have been clear throughout this pandemic that interventions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 must be proportionate to the public health benefits and take account of clinical advice. I am glad to confirm that, following agreement by the four nations CMO group and advice from the Chief Medical Officer, the period of isolation for close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, and for people arriving from countries not on the exemption list will reduce from 14 days to 10 days.
This change will come into effect on Monday 14 December and is an important step in ensuring that, where the clinical advice supports it, we can minimise the impact of measures taken to ensure that we reduce transmission of the virus and save lives.