Question reference: S5W-35296
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 17 February 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce routine COVID-19 testing using lateral flow devices for staff and volunteers at COVID-19 testing centres and stations.
Answer
Twice weekly lateral flow testing has been rolled out to the Scottish Ambulance Service, including staff working at MTUs (Mobile Testing Units) and staff working in COVID Assessment Centres.
ATS (Asymptomatic Test Sites) that form part of our community testing approach are run by health boards and local authority partnerships and includes a workforce model blending partnership staff, volunteers and military personnel as locally required. Testing is available for ATS staff and it is recommended best practise within the published guidance for ATS sites to test staff at the start of the day using a lateral flow tests.
We are currently in discussion with the UK Government about testing staff at regional and local test sites in Scotland.
Anyone who tests positive with a lateral flow test is advised to undertake a confirmatory PCR test.