Question reference: S5W-35616
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 3 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 11 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the First Minister on 2 February 2021 (Official Report, c. 13), whether the sectors covered by the expansion of routine workforce COVID-19 testing will include (a) transport and (b) offshore energy production.
Answer
Asymptomatic testing is a useful tool in our fight against coronavirus but it must be used in conjunction with other mitigations. All general and sectoral guidance must still be followed even where asymptomatic testing is taking place – including 2 metre distancing, hand washing, enhanced hygiene and self isolation of close contacts where cases are discovered.
The First Minister set out in parliament on Tuesday 3 rd Feb the approach to broadening the use of asymptomatic testing in Scotland. We are taking a targeted approach to introducing regular routine testing of those without symptoms, focussed on settings with higher transmission risks, such as food processing and distribution sites. We will provide tests for free until such time as we no longer believe there is a risk within that setting. Targeted community testing is also taking place in geographical areas which have high levels of prevalence and this community testing could include significant local employers where this is deemed appropriate by the relevant local authorities.
Our testing strategy will continue to be kept under review to ensure that testing continues to be used where appropriate to support efforts to suppress the virus.