ANYONE planning to visit a hospital or care home in Dumfries and Galloway will still be expected to first test themselves for COVID-19.
Similarly, anyone visiting a health care setting or a care home will continue to be expected to wear a face mask if able to do so.
Changes around testing in Scotland have seen the end of regular free asymptomatic testing via Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) for most people.
However, free LFD kits are being provided nationally for groups including those visiting hospitals or care home.
In order to obtain a free LFD kit for this purpose, visit the national NHS Inform website at www.nhsinform.scot or telephone 0800 0282816.
Consultant in Public Health Dr Andrew Rideout said: “Visitors to hospitals and care homes are among certain groups where free tests continue to be made available, in order to protect high risk settings, support clinical care and for surveillance purposes.
“Those groups also include health and social care workers, patients groups eligible for treatment, hospital patients, unpaid carers and people in prison.
“Meanwhile, people are also still expected to wear a face mask when visiting a health care setting such as a hospital, a clinic or GP practice, or when visiting a care home.”
A ‘stay at home’ message is being promoted from this Sunday for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 using an LFD.
People who have symptoms of COVID-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities will also be asked to ‘stay at home’ while they are unwell or have a fever. They will no longer be advised to take a PCR test.
Anyone who is unwell and needs further help should speak to their GP or should call NHS 24 by dialling 111.
Full guidance on the changes taking effect from this Sunday May 1 can be found by visiting the website https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/changes-from-1-may-2022/
