Two metre physical distancing will remain in health care

Physical distancing will remain in place at health care settings across Scotland from Monday (August 9) when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted elsewhere in the country.

Hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists will be among the locations which will continue to observe the current two metre distancing requirement to help control the spread of the virus.

The measure will be reviewed as the NHS remobilises safely from the pandemic.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "The safety of patients and healthcare staff is paramount.

“As we move beyond level 0, we must remember that the  virus has not gone away and safeguards like distancing may be needed in some settings as we learn to live with COVID-19.

“Physical distancing in our health system will remain for now as we move safely out of lockdown.

"We will keep the situation under review and will publish a plan for the safe recovery of our NHS in the coming weeks."

Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Anne Armstrong said: "Hospitals and other health care settings have developed new ways of working to meet the challenges of the pandemic, but there is still a risk of hospitalised cases and winter threats

"Physical distancing will help protect staff and patients as part of the ongoing management of confirmed or suspected COVID cases."  

Background

The public health decision in Scotland for two metre physical distancing as a measure for SARS-CoV-2 was subject to advice from COVID-19 Advisory Group in July 2020, based on advice from SAGE and other wider international evidence about transmission risks and consideration of adherence risks.