Coronavirus in Scotland

Daily COVID-19 data is on the Public Health Scotland's COVID-19 Daily Dashboard.

Testing

Free COVID-19 testing has now ended for most people in Scotland with and without symptoms.

Testing is only available for specific groups to protect high-risk settings, support clinical care and for surveillance.

You can still access testing if:

• you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for new coronavirus treatments
• you're applying for the self-isolation support grant
• you work in NHS health or social care settings and have symptoms

If you are a healthcare worker in a patient-facing role or a social care worker in a service user face-to-face role you should access testing through your organisation if you have symptoms.

Staying at home (previously self-isolating)

Follow the guidance on NHS Inform if you are feeling unwell with symptoms or have a fever.

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Travelling to Scotland

No COVID-19 travel rules apply for entering Scotland. Travel rules for people arriving from abroad ended in March 2022. 

If you’re visiting Scotland from another country, you should check your own government’s advice about travelling home after visiting Scotland.

Travelling abroad

Other countries may still have travel rules in place. If you live in Scotland, you should check foreign travel advice on GOV.UK for every country you plan to visit.

Proof of vaccination (COVID status)

If you need to prove which vaccinations you’ve had when you arrive in another country, you can normally use your NHS Scotland COVID Status app to do this.

Find out how to access or update your covid status at the NHS Inform website.

All covid rules and restrictions have been lifted in Scotland but there are still things you can do to protect yourself and others.

Read more: staying safe and protecting others.

Distance Aware scheme

A Distance Aware badge or lanyard shows that someone needs more space or care. Find out how to get a Distance Aware badge or lanyard.

The Highest Risk List – previously known as the Shielding List - ended on 31 May 2022, as a result of the success of the vaccination programme and the introduction of new treatments for COVID-19. 

Read guidance for people who were on the COVID-19 Highest Risk List.

There does remain a group of people who, due to a medical condition or treatment, have a weakened immune system. This group of people remain at higher risk from infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Read guidance for immunosuppressed people.

People managing workplaces and running organisations can take steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 to create a safer environment for all. 

Read safer workplaces and organisations guidance.

Guidance is available to help reduce the risk in:

• schools
• early learning and childcare settings
• colleges and universities

Information for parents and carers is on the Parent Club website.

Information for students is on the Student Information Scotland website.

The Covid recovery strategy helps those who have been most affected by the pandemic, where the unequal impacts have worsened pre-existing inequalities. It will bolster the actions in the:

• NHS recovery plan - sets out commitments that will support recovery over the next five years, supported by the implementation of improvements and new models of care
• Education recovery plan – sets out action taken to address the impacts on children and young people, and the next steps to support learners
• Justice recovery plan - published March 2021 - leading to increased criminal court capacity, alongside mitigating measures already introduced during the pandemic. We will publish a new justice strategy reflecting the focus on recovery