Scots ‘need to do the right thing’ despite end to Covid isolation rules

Scots “need to remember to do the right thing” despite the scrapping of Covid isolation rules, a public health expert has warned.

NHS Grampian’s health chief has urged people to stay away from others when suffering symptoms of the virus.

Jillian Evans stressed that “Covid hasn’t gone away” and said infection levels in Scotland are still “really high”.

Her comments come after mandatory isolation rules were replaced with guidance to ‘stay at home’ for those who have symptoms or have tested positive for coronavirus.

Ms Evans told STV News: “The big thing for me is about what happens with immunity and what happens with the possibility of new variants.

“Covid hasn’t gone away. Infection levels are still really high.

“Fortunately, most people have mild symptoms, and that’s great news. I think I think this is a promising calmer time but I think we need to remain vigilant.

“Although the guidance around self-isolation has changed, I think people still need to do the right thing when they believe themselves to have Covid and stay away from others when they believe that they could be at their most infectious.

“That’s hard for people when you can’t test. I know that. But for most of us, you’ll know when you’re unwell. You’ll know when you don’t want to be around other people.

“A fever is one sign of that, but there are many others. We’ve had a long list of new symptoms that have been circulated last week in Scotland, so we know that it manifests in all sorts of different ways for people.

“If you’re not well then think could you be infectious? Have you been around someone that’s been infectious?

“Preferably try and stay away from people for a number of days, at least up to five, and make sure you keep others safe.”

STV News

Last week Nicola Sturgeon warned Scotland is not at the end of the coronavirus pandemic despite the significant rule change.

She said the country is moving in a positive direction, however, she urged the public to be “sensible” about the virus.

The First Minister said: “It’s not the end of the pandemic.

“I think we’ve got to be clear that this virus is still with us.

“We see in other parts of the world it’s still causing a lot of problems and case levels here in Scotland remain high.

“The pressure on the National Health Service is still significant.

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