Testing Will Continue Through The Holiday Period

24th December 2021

COVID-19 testing services will remain open in Scotland every day throughout the holiday period.

Test sites will continue to operate, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, and tests will continue to be processed through the lab network. Test and Protect will also continue to operate every day during the holiday period.

Access to LFD tests will remain available through local pharmacies and test sites (subject to festive opening hours) and LFD and PCR tests can still be ordered online for home delivery over the holiday period.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "I would like to thank all our testing and contact tracing staff for their commitment and dedication at this challenging time which means this vital service can remain open throughout the holiday period as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

"Testing has been at the heart of our response to this pandemic and anyone who has symptoms or is notified as a close contact by Test and Protect should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.

"The emergence of the Omicron variant means it is more vital than ever that we use every tool at our disposal to identify COVID-19 cases quickly and break off chains of transmission.

"We are urging everyone to stay at home as much as possible over the coming weeks and reduce their mixing with other households. People should take an LFD test beforehand if they are visiting friends and family, and before situations where there is a higher risk of catching or passing on the virus."