- Scotland’s updated Strategic Framework published.
A new staged approach to easing protective measures will help
Scotland manage and recover from the ongoing coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement to Parliament, First Minister confirmed the details of
the updated Strategic Framework to manage COVID-19 primarily
through public health advice, vaccination, and treatment rather
than legal restrictions.
The First Minister also set out an indicative timescale for
remaining legal protections to be lifted:
- vaccine certification will no longer be legally required from
Monday 28 February, although the app will remain available so any
business that wishes to continue certification on a voluntary
basis to reassure customers will be able to do so
- current legal requirements on the use of face coverings, the
collection of customer details for contact tracing purposes, and
for businesses, service providers and places of worship to have
regard to guidance on Covid and to take reasonably practicable
measures set out in the guidance are expected to be lifted on 21
March, subject to the state of the pandemic
- access to lateral flow and PCR tests will continue to be free
of charge, ahead of a detailed transition plan being published on
the future of Scotland’s test and protect programme in March
People who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to be asked
to self-isolate to reduce the risk of infecting other people. Any
changes to the recommended period of self-isolation will be
considered on an ongoing basis.
The First Minister said:
“Covid is unfortunately still with us and we must therefore
remain vigilant and prepared for the threats it poses. But
today’s new framework is an important moment in our recovery. It
marks the point at which we move away, hopefully sustainably,
from legal restrictions, and rely instead on sensible behaviours,
adaptations and mitigations.
“Our return to normality must go hand in hand with a continuing
determination to look out for and after each other. All of us
have a part to play in ensuring a safe and sustainable recovery,
so please continue to follow public health advice on getting
vaccinated, testing as regularly as appropriate, wearing face
coverings when required or recommended, and keeping rooms
ventilated.
“All of this still matters, even as we lift the remaining legal
requirements. It is how we can keep ourselves and each other
safe, as we recover from Covid and look forward together to
brighter and better days ahead.”
Background
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
update: First Minister's speech - Tuesday 22 February 2022 -
gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Coronavirus (COVID-19):
Scotland's Strategic Framework Update - February 2022 - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
