Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scotland's Strategic Framework update – February 2022: evidence paper
This evidence paper accompanies the Strategic Framework update and provides an overview of the key analysis and evidence underpinning the Framework, published on 22 February 2022.
Annex A - Table 2 – Legislative requirements and guidance made in Scotland to tackle COVID-19 since 16 November 2021
Date introduced
Restrictions in place as of 16 November 2021 (publication of the last Strategic Framework report)
Legislative requirements
Vaccine Certification for
- Late night premises with music, which serve alcohol at any time between midnight and 5am and have a designated place for dancing for customers;
- Indoor events (unseated) with 500 or more people;
- Outdoor events (unseated) with 4,000 or more people; and
- Any event with more than 10,000 people.
Face coverings required in most indoor public settings and on public transport (unless exempt).
Hospitality and entertainment venues required to collect contact details for Test and Protect.
COVID-19 Scotland's Strategic Framework Update - November 2021 (www.gov.scot)
Fully vaccinated travellers returning to Scotland required to take a LFD test on the second day after their arrival. Unvaccinated travellers, or travellers from countries where certification is not recognised, must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival and take PCR tests on day two and day eight. Final countries taken off the red list (www.gov.scot)
Guidance
Good hand hygiene and surface cleaning;
Promotion of good ventilation;
Test and Protect, including self-isolation when necessary.
Encourage a greater degree of working from home than pre-COVID-19
COVID-19 Scotland's Strategic Framework Update - November 2021 (www.gov.scot)
Third dose offered to those aged 50+, unpaid carers who are 16+, those aged 16+ who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals, care home residents, frontline health and social care workers and those aged 16 and on the highest risk list.
Online portal for autumn/winter vaccination programme - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Covid-19 booster vaccinations underway (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 26 November 2021
Guidance / Legislative requirements
WHO announced Omicron (B.1.1.529) as a Variant of Concern (VOC) Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (who.int)
Date introduced - 26 November 2021
Legislative requirements
All travellers returning to Scotland from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana will be required to self-isolate and take two PCR tests (Days 2 & 8). Self-isolation for all travellers returning from six African countries - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 27 November 2021
Legislative requirements
South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana added to UK travel red list, with the requirement to quarantine on their arrival in managed accommodation for 10 days. A flight ban was also in place.
Tackling the threat of new COVID-19 variant - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Red list of countries and territories - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Edit from 25 November)
Date introduced - 28 November 2021
Legislative requirements
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia added to UK travel red list, with the requirement to quarantine on their arrival in managed accommodation for 10 days. Tackling the threat of new COVID-19 variant - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 23 November 2021
Guidance / Legislative requirements
Specimen data of first Omicron case in Scotland. Public Health Scotland COVID-19 & Winter Statistical Report
Date introduced - 29 November 2021
Guidance / Legislative requirements
First Omicron case reported in Scotland. Omicron variant - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 30 November 2021
Guidance
Booster expanded to 40+ 16-17 year olds can book 2nd dose. Booster jab roll-out continues - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 6 December 2021
Legislative requirements
Negative test within 24h added to vaccine certification scheme. No changes to the rest of the scheme.
Negative test added to certification - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Nigeria added to UK travel red list, with the requirement to quarantine on their arrival in managed accommodation for 10 days. Pre-departure test requirement for travel - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 7 December 2021
Legislative requirements
People arriving in Scotland from abroad (including vaccinated individuals) will need to take pre-departure and arrival COVID-19 tests to help stem the spread of the Omicron variant. Pre-departure test requirement for travel - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 10 December 2021
Guidance
People urged to defer work Christmas parties to slow the spread of the virus.
Strongly advised to do LFD testing in advance of meeting up with others. Evidence paper on rapid rise of Omicron cases - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 11 December 2021
Legislative requirements
All household contacts of any confirmed COVID-19 case must isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status - even if they initially get a negative PCR test. Evidence paper on rapid rise of Omicron cases - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 12 December 2021
Guidance
Care home staff asked to undertake daily LFD testing in addition to their weekly PCR test, and all social care staff are also being encouraged to undertake daily LFD testing. Social care staff urged to get booster - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 13 December 2021
Guidance
Booster expanded to all 30+ Vaccine boosters available to over 30s - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 15 December 2021
Legislative requirements
Passengers returning from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will not have to stay in a managed quarantine hotel on arrival in Scotland. Pre-departure and arrival tests still required. 11 countries removed from international travel red list - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Guidance
Booster expanded to all 18+ year olds. Boosting support for the vaccination programme - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 17 December 2021
Guidance / Legislative requirements
Omicron dominant variant in Scotland. Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's speech – 17 December 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 17 December 2021
Legislative requirements
Businesses legally required to take reasonable measures to minimise transmission of coronavirus, e.g.
- Enabling home working for those who are able to work from home,
- Masks should be worn in all businesses,
- Retail and hospitality businesses should consider reasonable measures to reduce crowding and manage queues,
- Workplace testing is being extended and businesses with more than 10 employees are encouraged to sign up to receive free lateral flow test kits to ensure staff are able to test regularly. Limiting the spread of Omicron - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Guidance
Guidance for visiting hospitals and adult care homes updated
- No more than two households should meet with a resident at any one time inside the care home,
- Residents are asked to avoid larger gatherings when visiting friends and family out with the care home,
- Staff testing increased to daily and all visitors should test before every visit.
Advice on visiting care homes and hospitals - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Guidance updated on reducing social interaction at home or in indoor public places to a maximum of three households at any time, with everyone encouraged to take a LFD test before meeting. New measures required to slow the spread of Coronavirus - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 26 December 2021
Legislative requirements
Attendance at large events limited to:
- 100 people for indoor standing events,
- 200 people for indoor seated events,
- 500 people for all outdoor events (seated or standing) Omicron restrictions take effect - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 27 December 2021
Legislative requirements
One metre physical distancing between adults in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings, including:
- Pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other settings where food and drink is served for consumption on-site,
- Leisure settings including gyms, theatres, cinemas, bingo and snooker halls and bowling alleys,
- Museums, galleries and other visitor attraction.
Table service required in settings where alcohol is served for consumption on the premises.
Nightclubs closed. Omicron restrictions take effect - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 3 January 2022
Guidance
12-15 year olds encouraged to take their 2ndst dose. Gap after 1 dose reduced to 12 weeks. COVID-19 vaccine for 12-15 year olds - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - Start of January 2022 term
Guidance
School staff and secondary school pupils are advised to take a test before returning to school (night before or morning of) and then done twice weekly.
Returning to school safely - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Changes to guidance for schools for start of January term:
- A strengthened approach to minimising contacts, primarily through the reintroduction of groupings where practical,
- A strengthened approach to self-isolation for household contacts of positive cases,
- Tightened restrictions on school visitors,
- Updated guidance on regular ventilation and CO2 monitoring,
- Measures aimed at increasing the uptake of regular asymptomatic testing,
- An update to guidance on school visits and trips,
- A requirement for schools and local authorities to provide essential support for particular groups, including vulnerable children and young people, in the event of temporary school closures at a local level,
- Staff eligibility for voluntary exemption from self-isolation under critical worker guidance. Keeping schools safe - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 6 January 2022
Legislative requirements
Can end self-isolation if no symptoms and 2 negative LFD tests on or after day 6 taken 24h apart.
Triple vaccinated close contacts do not need to self-isolate if LFD test negative every day for 7 days and remain symptom free. Any close contacts who are not fully vaccinated (3 doses) will still have to self-isolate for 10 days and take a PCR test.
No need to take a PCR test to confirm following a positive LFD. Self-Isolation and testing changes - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 7 January 2022
Legislative requirements
Removal of pre-departure test requirement for those fully vaccinated or under 18 arriving in Scotland. Removal of need to self-isolate until negative test. Arrival test still required. Easing of restrictions on international travellers - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 17 January 2022
Legislative requirements
Large outdoor events can resume without physical distancing or capacity limits. Will require 50% of attendees to be checked in line with the vaccine certification scheme. Booster required if more than 4 months post-2nd dose to be considered fully vaccinated for certification scheme.
Date introduced - 18 January 2022
Guidance
Children aged five to 11 years old who have specific medical conditions which place them at greater risk from COVID-19 invited for their first vaccination.
Children aged 12-15 who are at particular clinical risk from COVID-19 invited for booster vaccination.
Boosters provided for those aged 16+. Vaccinations for youngsters with specific medical conditions - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 20 January 2022
Legislative requirements
People transferring from hospitals to care homes will no longer need to isolate if they have had a negative PCR test in the previous 48 hours, so long as they have no symptoms of a respiratory virus and have not been exposed to COVID-19 over the previous 14 days.
The isolation period for care home residents testing positive for COVID-19, or for close contacts of COVID-19 cases, is also being cut from 14 days to 10 days Restrictions eased for care home residents - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 24 January 2022
Legislative requirements
Limits on attendance at indoor public events, the requirement for 1m physical distancing, table service in hospitality venues, ban on non-professional indoor contact sports and the requirement for nightclubs to close will be removed. Omicron measures to be lifted - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Guidance
Removal of guidance to limit gatherings to 3 households. Omicron measures to be lifted - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 26 January 2022
Guidance
Distance Aware launched Distance Aware - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 28 January 2022
Legislative requirements
Requirement for 2m distancing reduced to 1 m for indoor settings where people have a specific exemption from the need to wear a face covering.
Face coverings will no longer be required for any adult taking part in organised activities when they are directly interacting with children under the age of five Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's statement – 25 January 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 31 January 2022
Legislative requirements
Return to hybrid working Changes to working from home advice - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 10 February 2022
Legislative requirements
Secondary school pupils will not need to wear face coverings in classrooms from 28 February. Facemask will still be required in communal areas and when moving around inside school buildings. COVID-19 school rules to be eased - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Date introduced - 11 February 2022
Legislative requirements
All testing requirements will be removed for eligible fully vaccinated international arrivals, with only a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) now required.
Arrivals who are not recognised as fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK. UK open for travel with all restrictions removed for eligible vaccinated arrivals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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