Scottish football clubs to revert to symptomatic Covid testing

Scottish professional football clubs are to revert to testing for Covid only when symptoms are shown, as the majority of remaining restrictions are lifted from next week.

Clubs across the country have followed a series of strict protocols and regulations since the onset of the pandemic in order to keep players and staff safe and allow for the playing of games in all competitions.

As the country relaxes the remaining restrictions and guidelines from March 21, with the exception of face coverings for the time being, the Scottish football authorities have agreed a similar change to the rules for their members.

From next Monday, the Scottish FA and SPFL’s Joint Response Group have announced that Scottish clubs will revert to symptomatic testing only from then but have also urged clubs “to continue to adhere to best practice hygiene and sanitisation measures to minimise the potential for COVID-19 transmission within all club operations”.

Rod Petrie, Scottish FA president and JRG chair said in a statement: “Over the past two years the JRG has met habitually to help Scottish football stay safe amid the many manifestations of the COVID-19 virus.

“It has done so to provide guidance and evolving protocols that ensured the national game could continue to provide welcome relief from two national lockdowns and during the gradual return to normality.

“I would like to thank my JRG colleagues for their commitment to the process, to the Scottish Government and their health experts within the Elite Sports Covid Advisory Group [ESCAG] for their public health expertise and counsel, and to the clubs for adhering to the rigorous testing regime and protocols required to keep Scottish football safe and enjoyable for hundreds of thousands of fans across the country.”