Test and Protect is Scotland’s way of putting into practice the 'test, trace, isolate, support' strategy, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community.
As part of this, you will be asked to self-isolate at home for 10 days if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you have tested positive for it. If you live with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you will be asked to self-isolate at home for 10 days. If you have been asked to self-isolate, and you have no other sources of support, you can contact us for help.
Test and Protect - Request support when self-isolating
The Coronavirus helpline - 01546 605524 - available from 9.00am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
If you have been contacted by Test and Protect and asked to self-isolate, and have no other sources of support, you can request help using our Coronavirus helpline online form - please note, this form is only monitored on working days, so requests made on the public holidays will take longer to process.
Find out more information about Test and Protect on the NHS Inform website
Find information leaflets for speakers of other languages
How to get tested
The way you get tested for coronavirus in Scotland depends on whether you are showing symptoms for Covid
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Vaccinations
All Covid-19 vaccination related activity is being undertaken by NHS Highland.
Argyll and Bute Council cannot help with enquiries about availability of vaccinations or appointments.
How to access support
If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate at home straight away along with other members of your household.
Guidance for self-isolating is available on the NHS Inform website
If you require help or support during this time with food, essential supplies, medications or other services, and you do not have access to other sources of support, please contact us using our Test and Protect support form, or by calling 01546 605524 (available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Please Note: You are only eligible under the Test & Protect scheme if you you have been told to self isolate by a Test & Protect contact tracer or you have tested positive for COVID-19, or you are the identified appropriate parent or primary carer of a child under 16 who has been required by the Test and Protect Service, Local Public Health Director or Local Incident Management Team notification to self-isolate. It can take up to 36 hours from submission on a working day (Mon-Fri) for your request to be processed. It could be longer over weekends or public holidays.
Self Isolation Support Grants >
These £500 grants are available to people on a low income who are experiencing financial hardship through being asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Protect.
You can check if you are eligible for a grant here on the Scottish Government website
International travel and managed isolation (quarantine)
Guidance is available for people returning to or arriving in Scotland, including information about how to quarantine (either in managed self-isolation or when self-isolating at your accommodation), on the Scottish Government website: