THE Scottish Greens have published a proposal calling for hospital and care workers who are on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic to be given routine tests - regardless of whether they are showing symptoms.

Greens co-leader Alison Johnstone said that the proposal would address concerns that infected healthcare workers who are pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic or suffering from mild symptoms may be spreading the disease to patients and others.

The call intends to reduce anxiety and protect frontline staff.

Johnstone said: “The proposal I have published today would allow for all health and care workers on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic to be routinely tested regardless of whether they are showing symptoms of the virus.

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“There are significant concerns that infected health and care workers who are pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic or suffering from mild symptoms may be spreading Covid-19. Instituting routine testing would help reduce anxiety and better protect frontline staff and it would ensure no one needs to isolate needlessly.

“A significant volume of Scotland’s testing capacity is currently going unused. This additional capacity makes the swift implementation of regular health and care worker testing practical and achievable.

“There is serious concern among health and care workers that hospitals and care settings are becoming hotbeds for transmission of the virus. I have no doubt that expanding testing by introducing routine testing for hospital workers and care staff would provide a significant boost to frontline morale at this difficult time.

"As well as providing reassurance the implantation of routine testing would of course play a crucial role in reducing the spread of Covid-19. That’s why I’ve written to Health Secretary Jeane Freeman today, urging her to implement routine testing urgently.”