This offer extends to anyone within Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland who is planning to visit a Scottish island from Monday 26th April 2021.
2. What is the purpose of the pre-departure testing programme?
Around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, and could be spreading the disease without knowing it. By testing you can identify if you have coronavirus and then isolate at home in order to protect our vulnerable island communities, and your friends and family.
3. How will this be enforced?
This is a voluntary scheme and you will not need evidence of a negative test to travel to a Scottish island. However, we would encourage you to participate in order to reduce the risk that you inadvertently carry coronavirus into one of our 93 island communities.
4. How will people access tests?
You can order a free pack of seven coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests to be sent to your home from the gov.uk website - further details are on how and when to order tests are available on the Scottish Government website. These should arrive within 24-48 hours.
If you do not have internet access you can book a test delivery by calling 0300 303 2713 (charged at your standard network rate) or 119 if you live in Wales, England or Northern Ireland.
5. Is there an age limit?
Only those aged 18 and above are able to order tests online. Adolescents aged 12-17 can self-test with adult supervision and children under 12 years of age should be tested by an adult. Further information on this is contained within the testing packs.
6. What should I do if I get a positive result?If you or anyone in your household tests positive, everyone in the household must follow their national guidance. In Scotland they should:
- Self-isolate immediately. Financial and practical support is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): self-isolation factsheet - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- Book a PCR test at NHS inform to confirm the result (a PCR test is a different type of coronavirus test, and is regularly used for those with symptoms)
7. What should I do if I get a negative LFD result?
If your test result is negative this is not a guarantee that you do not have coronavirus. You must continue to follow national and local restrictions, including FACTS guidance.
A negative result only reflects a specific point in time. If you develop coronavirus symptoms you must book a PCR test at NHS inform.
8. I recently tested positive with a PCR test, should I test before visiting a Scottish island?
People who have tested positive by PCR in the last 90 days should not participate in this programme.