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Publication - Advice and guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): staying safe and protecting others

Last updated 17 February 2023 - see all updates
Part of
Coronavirus in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies

How to keep ourselves and each other safe from coronavirus (COVID-19).

This document is part of a collection

How to assess the risk

Everyone can play a part in reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 by assessing the transmission risk as part of your normal routine, thinking about each time you move into a different setting and mix with a different social group.

To help keep each other safe, we strongly recommend you consider your own risk and the risk to others and consider what steps you can take to reduce risk and protect those around you wherever you are.

This is particularly important if you, or those you are in close contact with, are at higher risk from COVID-19.  It is also important to remember that it is not always obvious who is more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, taking sensible precautions on a consistent basis helps protect everyone.

Your risk assessment may change over the course of the day, depending on where you are, what you are doing and who you are with - and that will inform which measures you take in each circumstance for example if you are on an empty train, you may not need to wear a face covering, but once you go into a busy shop, you may want to wear one. We strongly recommend if you are 12 or over, that you continue to wear a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport. 

When you think about how best to protect yourself and others, remember that the virus is more likely to transmit indoors and in particular in:

  • crowded spaces
  • poorly ventilated spaces
  • places where you are sitting next to someone from another household for an extended period of time
  • when you mix with lots of people not in your household

In taking responsibility for enhancing our own and others peoples’ safety, we can:

  • practice some simple positive behaviours and start to include these within our daily routines
  • help care and protect others- Some groups of people are at higher risk of severe illness if they catch coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • respond to situations by taking proportionate measures
  • help build a society able to balance the various risks associated with COVID-19
  • help mitigate the impacts of more familiar diseases such as seasonal flu and other respiratory viruses
First published
24 August 2021
Last updated
17 February 2023 - show all updates

  1. Minor update to text on the overview page re: busier areas/heating.

  2. Minor changes to page.

  3. Ventilation guidance updated.

  4. Changes to page: If you suspect you have Covid

  5. Updated to reflect the current situation with testing and staying at home.

  6. Guidance restored from archive and re purposed to include latest guidance on reducing risks from transmitting COVID-19.

  7. Edits made to comply with gov.scot writing style guide

  8. Changes made to reflect move to hybrid working introduced from 31 January.

  9. Updated in light of changes being introduced from 28 January.

  10. Updated to summarise changes from 28 and 31 January covering face covering exemptions and home working.

  11. Updated to provide more detail on changes to measures from 24 January 2022.

  12. Updated to summarise changes that will come into place from 24 January 2022.

  13. Updated to reflect latest position on the COVID certification scheme and events.

  14. Meeting people guidance updated to reflect latest position and removal of guidance on travel to events in other parts of the UK.

  15. Updated definition of 'fully vaccinated'.

  16. Updated to explain changes from 17 January 2022.

  17. Self-isolation information updated to reflect latest position.

  18. Updated to reflect current position.

  19. Updated information on places of worship.

  20. Updated following First Minister's statement on 21 December 2021.

  21. Updated information on face coverings for performers.

  22. Added link to organised activities for children guidance.

  23. Updated to reflect 2m face covering rule.

  24. Updated to include guidance for the festive period

  25. Updated to includes changes announced by the First Minister on 14 December 2021.

  26. Updated to include work Christmas party advice.

  27. Going to work section updated to reflect latest position.

  28. Translations added.

  29. Travel section updated.

  30. Updated information on events.

  31. Added information on covid vaccination certification scheme.

  32. Added information on vaccine certification.

  33. Additional clarification on face coverings and performers added.

  34. Added information on the temporary removal of face coverings during wedding ceremonies.

  35. Updated guidance with additional information on self-isolation.

  36. Updated guidance with additional information.

  37. Expanded guidance for health and social care settings.

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