THE UK and Scottish Governments were split yesterday over whether people over 70 – most at risk to coronavirus – should stay at home and self-isolate.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the Scottish Government is asking over-70s to “reduce social contact” but has no plans to advise them to begin self-isolation due to the increased risk of the Covid-19 virus to this age group.

Matt Hancock, her UK Government counterpart, had said those aged 70 and over would likely be advised to stay at home for up to four months for “self-protection” – something he described as a “very big ask”.

But Freeman said her administration is not advocating “isolation”. She stated: “We don’t want people who are elderly to be stuck in their homes alone not contacting anyone, with their families not able to be in touch with them and to help them.

“What we’re saying to them is, reduce your contact.”

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On Twitter, Professor Jason Leitch, the Scottish Government’s national clinical director, moved to address “confusion” over the matter.

He told his followers: “We are working on guidance for the over-70s to be asked to reduce social contact for their safety.

“So no bingo, no pubs ... but family visits and neighbours etc.”

The release of the UK’s plan to potentially isolate older citizens sparked criticism of Westminster’s approach to coronavirus containment. Briefings were given to certain journalists by an anonymous source and Freeman was amongst those to hit out at the decision, stating: “It’s not how we would do it.

“Governments should be coming and explaining these things really clearly.

“Overnight briefing, background briefing, unattributed sources is not the way to ensure that the public are understanding what we are trying to do and are working with us to do that.”

“What we have done since the start is that the First Minister holds a press briefing as soon as decisions are taken, make sure that is clearly articulated.

“I tell the parliament what is happening so all our MSPs know, then we have clinical voices – because they are the important voices Catherine Calderwood [the chief medical officer] Jason Leitch and others – on programmes around the country answering questions and explaining what we’re doing.

“The reason that’s important is because we need people to trust that the actions we are asking them to take make sense and then follow those actions.”

Despite taking a different approach to advice for older people, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted she is not working on a Scotland-only basis. She stated: “These are decisions for The Scottish Government but we are seeking to take them on a consistent UK four-nations basis.

“We will set out the detail of exactly what we are asking people to do, and when, in an open and orderly way.”

And, on how to get information to the public, she commented: “Giving clear and consistent information to public at the right time on coronavirus is vital. Governments’ media strategies must reflect the importance of that.

“This is not a run-of-the-mill political issue. The Scottish Government will set out advice to the public in an orderly manner.”

Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, including a persistent dry cough or fever, is advised to stay at home for seven days to reduce the chances of transmission.

GP appointments are only advised if their condition has worsened at the end of that period.