Question reference: S6W-01301
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 8 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 July 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue to provide free COVID-19 lateral flow tests (a) until and (b) after 9 August 2021.
Answer
On 26 April free lateral flow device (LFD) test kits were made available to everyone in Scotland, for twice-weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 testing via the universally accessible testing offer. In addition to this, free LFD test kits are available through the Scottish Government’s targeted asymptomatic testing programme which includes routine testing for:
- health care workers
- educational staff, senior phase pupils and HE/FE students
- prioritised workforces in the public sector and in critical national infrastructure
- high risk private sector settings such as food processing businesses
Free access to LFD test kits has been extended through the summer period until September, when a formal review will be undertaken by the Scottish Government. Workforce testing is currently being expanded to all private sector organizations with more than ten employees.