The Scottish Government has announced that children who are under 5-years-old will be eligible to be tested for Coronavirus starting from tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd July.
This is largely to co-incide with the re-opening of childcare and early-learning settings across Scotland. Young children are able to be tested at drive-in facilities, mobile testing units or with a home test kit. An obvious recommendation is that testing of young children under 11 should be completed by a suitable parent or carer.
Scotland’s interim Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith, said: “In light of the continued change in lockdown restrictions and the resumption of early learning and childcare, we have reviewed our testing policy for children under five.
“We want to avoid households having to isolate unnecessarily if young children in their family are displaying coronavirus-like symptoms which can be common in this age group.
“I would encourage anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 or whose child has symptoms, to get a test immediately to help us suppress the spread of the virus.”