In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on January 5, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, regardless of vaccination status, must still self-isolate for 10 days.
However, since 6 January, new cases are advised they can end self-isolation if they don’t have a fever and test negative on a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) on Day 6 and again at least 24 hours later.
Triple vaccinated close contacts of those who test positive, both household and non-household, or those under the age of 18 and four months, do not need to isolate as long as they return a negative LFD test result each day for seven consecutive days, and remain fever free.
The intention is for the public to be sufficiently reassured of a negative Covid-19 status during the potential incubation period.
Any close contact who is not fully vaccinated (three doses) still has to self-isolate for the 10 days and take a PCR test.
Changes were also made to testing after a positive LFD – people will no longer be asked to take a PCR test to confirm the result.
The latest update from NHSWI says that yesterday (Wednesday January 26) there were 16 cases in the Isles – 3 on North Uist and 13 on Lewis.
NHSWI have 2 vaccination clinics today:
Co-op, Macaulay Road (drop-in) 10.30am - 5.30pm
Harris Hub in Tarbert (appointment only) from 9am - 4pm. There are still slots available in Harris: call 08081968383.