Health and social workers to no longer require weekly Covid-19 testing

The weekly testing of front line health and social care workers for Covid-19 will no longer be required as asymptomatic testing pauses from Wednesday.

It comes following a change to the Covid-19 alert level, with the UK’s four chief medical officers ruling it is now safe to halt weekly staff, visitor and carer testing, as well as testing for hospital admissions.

A high uptake of vaccinations across the country has also been credited for the decision.

The update is the latest change to Covid rules, following the decision to remove requirements for face masks in social care homes earlier this month.

However, testing will remain for admissions into care homes and to support clinical diagnosis and treatment for patients in hospitals, as well as care home residents.

Visitors to care homes and hospitals are still advised to follow the guidelines and avoid doing so if they have any symptoms.

Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The huge success of our world-leading vaccination programme means we are now able to pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings.

“This is the latest step in our return to normal life, but we must apply Covid Sense to keep these freedoms and ease the pressure on the NHS over winter.

“Vaccination remains our best line of defence against Covid-19 and I urge everyone who is eligible for the winter vaccination programme to take up the offer of an appointment when it’s offered.”