CORONAVIRUS testing sites will remain open every day through the festive period, the Scottish Government has announced.
Test and Protect will also continue to operate throughout the holiday season, including on Christmas Day.
Access to lateral flow tests - which Scots have been asked to do frequently in order to limit the spread of the Omicron variant - will also remain open. Local pharmacies and test sites will have a stock for distribution, and tests can still be ordered online.
Commenting, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "I would like to thank all our testing and contact tracing staff for their commitment and dedication at this challenging time which means this vital service can remain open throughout the holiday period as Covid-19 cases continue to rise.
READ MORE: Some Scots will 'probably' need a fourth booster, Jason Leitch says
"Testing has been at the heart of our response to this pandemic and anyone who has symptoms or is notified as a close contact by Test and Protect should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.
"The emergence of the Omicron variant means it is more vital than ever that we use every tool at our disposal to identify Covid-19 cases quickly and break off chains of transmission.
"We are urging everyone to stay at home as much as possible over the coming weeks and reduce their mixing with other households. People should take an LFD test beforehand if they are visiting friends and family, and before situations where there is a higher risk of catching or passing on the virus."
The Scottish Government has provided a list of the following opening hours for testing sites (including local and drive through testing sites):
- 24 December (Christmas Eve) 8am to 6pm
- 25 December (Christmas Day) 10am to 2pm
- 26 December (Boxing Day) 10am to 2pm
- 27 December 8am to 6pm
- 28 December 8am to 6pm
- 29 December 8am to 6pm
- 30 December 8am to 6pm
- 31 December (New Year’s Eve) 8am to 6pm
- 1 January (New Year’s Day) 10am to 2pm
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel