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Publication - Advice and guidance

Respiratory infections including Coronavirus (COVID-19): staying well and protecting others

Last updated
22 September 2023 - see all updates
Part of
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies

How to reduce the risk of respiratory infections including coronavirus (COVID-19) to keep ourselves and each other well.

This document is part of a collection

How to assess the risk

Everyone can play a part in reducing the risk of spreading respiratory infections including 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 well, 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 respiratory infections including  COVID-19. It is also important to remember that it is not always obvious who is more vulnerable to the effects of respiratory infections including 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.

When you think about how best to protect yourself and others, remember that respiratory infections including COVID-19 are 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 other peoples’ safety, we can:

  • practice some simple positive behaviours and start to include these within our daily routines
  • help to care and protect others - some groups of people are at higher risk of severe illness if they catch respiratory infections including COVID-19
  • respond to situations by taking proportionate measures
  • help build a society able to balance the various risks associated with respiratory infections including COVID-19
First published
24 August 2021
Last updated
22 September 2023 - show all updates

  1. Face coverings page updated to add that face coverings exemption card scheme closed.

  2. Face coverings page updated to add that face coverings exemption card scheme will close on 22 September.

  3. Title updated.

  4. Updated page if you suspect you have COVID-19 to reflect who can access testing.

  5. Updated to reflect current stage of pandemic.

  6. Minor update to overview.

  7. Minor updates to all sections.

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

  9. Minor changes to page.

  10. Ventilation guidance updated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  22. Updated definition of 'fully vaccinated'.

  23. Updated to explain changes from 17 January 2022.

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

  25. Updated to reflect current position.

  26. Updated information on places of worship.

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

  28. Updated information on face coverings for performers.

  29. Added link to organised activities for children guidance.

  30. Updated to reflect 2m face covering rule.

  31. Updated to include guidance for the festive period

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

  33. Updated to include work Christmas party advice.

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

  35. Translations added.

  36. Travel section updated.

  37. Updated information on events.

  38. Added information on covid vaccination certification scheme.

  39. Added information on vaccine certification.

  40. Additional clarification on face coverings and performers added.

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

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

  43. Updated guidance with additional information.

  44. Expanded guidance for health and social care settings.

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