On Tuesday 26 October, the First Minister announced that a further £482 million is being allocated to the NHS and to integration joint boards to help remobilise the NHS after COVID, while the requirement for PCR test will be dropped for travellers coming into Scotland from countries that are not on the red list.
The funding includes £19.6 million for NHS Ayrshire and Arran (NHSAA) and £5 million for Ayrshire’s integrated joint boards.
This comes on top of £2.1 billion provided to date to NHS Boards and Integration Authorities to support additional COVID-19 costs across Scotland. Additional funding will be provided as necessary over the course of the year.
Ms Sturgeon furthermore advised that as of Sunday 31 October at 04:00, fully vaccinated travellers coming or returning from non-red list countries, will be allowed to provide a lateral flow test - rather than a PCR test - on day two following their arrival.
Travellers will be able to book lateral flow tests from the list of providers on the gov.uk site in advance of arrival into Scotland from around 17:00 on Friday. These tests cost between £20-£30 - much less than the £68 PCR test.
If a lateral flow test is positive, a PCR test must then be booked to confirm the result.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“The funding to help NHSAA and other health and integration joint boards will help to continue the successful delivery of test and protect as well as local vaccination programmes. The support for staff is also important, as they continue to provide an excellent service to keep us all safe.
“The First Minister’s announcement that lateral flow tests will be required as opposed to expensive PCR tests means the cost of travel will no longer be prohibitive for many who haven’t been able to see their loved ones abroad for much too long. I’m sure it will be welcomed.
“Nevertheless, as we move back to further easing and a greater degree of normality, let’s not forget that as individuals we have a very big part to play in keeping our communities safe and the pressure on NHSAA as low as we can, so I encourage everyone to keep abiding by the rules and guidance for as long as they are in place.
ENDS
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