Explainer: How will 'Test and Protect' operate in Scotland?

“Test and Protect” will be launched on Thursday as the next phase of Scotland’s battle against Coronavirus.

Increased testing will be at the heart of the new approach

What is it?

"Test and Protect" is the new national system of testing which Scotland will shift towards in an effort to drive down future cases of Coronavirus as the country emerges from lockdown.

When it does it start?

It will be launched on Thursday as Scotland prepares to enter the first phase of its lockdown exit strategy which will see restrictions eased on outdoor activity, including sports like golf and fishing, as well as garden centres reopening

How will it work?

From Thursday, Scots who develop Coronavirus symptoms will be asked to take "immediate steps" to book a test via NHS Inform or NHS24. They should also continue to self-isolate for seven days, in line with current guidance, if they have symptoms. Other members of the household should also self-isolate for 14 days.

What if the test is negative?

The symptomatic person and their household can immediately end their self-isolation.

What if the test is positive?

An army of 1600 contact tracers, rising to about 2000 by the end of the month, will then swing into action. They will get details of anyone that each infected person has been in contact with, then track them down and order them to self-isolate to keep cases under control. A digital platform is also being added which allow people to enter their contacts online

How is a close contact defined?

This is defined as anyone who is sharing the household of an infected person, anyone they have had face to face contact with or anyone who has been within two metres of them for a period of fifteen minutes or more.

Will testing levels be ramped up?

The Scottish Government now says it has capacity to carry out 15,000 tests a day, although it’s not clear if all of this will be needed.

What will happen to the information provided to contact tracers?

Patient confidentiality will be paramount and any details provided will be held securely in the NHS and used only for the purposes of tracing contacts. The details will not be used by the Scottish Government in any way, with ministers denied access to it.

What happens if someone is identified by an infected person as a "contact?"

They will be asked to self-isolate immediately. If they are at work, the advice will be to immediately head home, taking care to only come into contact with as few people as possible. Guidance will also be published for employers making clear that any member of staff being asked to self-isolate should be supported. In the months ahead this could happen to all Scots on more than one occasion.

Will people know who identified them as a contact?

No. Patient confidentiality rules mean that their identity must be protected.

Will further information be made available?

The Government is to launch a major public information campaign this week and during June information will be delivered directly to households across the country setting out what is required.