Nicola Sturgeon Omicron update RECAP: First Minister confirms change to self isolation rules
The First Minister will address Parliament virtually on Wednesday at 2pm to give an update on the Covid-19 situation as the Omicron variant sweeps across the country.
You can follow updates in our live blog.
Nicola Sturgeon Omicron update LIVE: First Minister to update MSPs amid calls to change Covid-19 self-isolation period
In an update to the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said changes announced to self-isolation rules from midnight on Wednesday will help schools.
These include cutting the isolation period from 10 days to seven for Covid cases without a fever if they return negative lateral flow tests on day six and seven.
In addition, household contacts of a positive case will no longer have to isolate for 10 days but instead take lateral flow tests for seven days, provided they are either aged under 18 years and four months or are fully vaccinated.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Our priority is to keep schools open and to minimise further disruption to education.
“However, with community transmission high, I know the next few weeks will be challenging for pupils, staff and parents.
“Using lateral flow tests will help. So too will the changes to self-isolation rules – updated education guidance reflecting these changes will issue shortly.
“We will also work with councils to ensure the guidance issued before Christmas is followed to keep schools not just open but as safe as possible.”
The prospect of 6 Nations and other events being moved is asked of the FM who says she understands the need for clarity, and she hopes that restrictions would not be in place from January 17.
Nicola Sturgeon is asked about the need to install fire and smoke alarms by February 1st for those self isolating, but the FM said that there would be no time limit on this.
Curbs on live culture and sports events in Scotland are to be kept in place for another 12 days – with a new of Covid control measures expected to be introduced “within the next few weeks.”
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