Question reference: S6W-01937
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 28 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure there is access to COVID-19 testing for international travellers in (a) rural areas and (b) Dumfries and Galloway, and what consideration it has given to allowing charged access to surplus NHS testing.
Answer
The Scottish Government currently only allows travellers returning from green and amber list countries to use NHS tests, which are reserved and paid for through the booking portal, CTM. These PCR tests are sent to individuals’ home addresses anywhere in Scotland, including rural areas. The individual should use a Royal Mail priority post box to return their test to the laboratory if they have access to one.
Individuals in Scotland are able to book PCR tests and request lateral flow home devices free of charge via the government portal, however these cannot be used for international travel.