June 2021 - Page 7 of 8

Test and Protect Update on COVID-19 Testing

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

With restrictions easing and infection rates a concern in many areas, COVID-19 testing is more important than ever.

Lateral Flow Kits

Free lateral flow kits are now available to everyone in Scotland for twice-weekly asymptomatic testing, and these will be available for pick up without an appointment from many local walk-in or drive through test sites from 3:30 pm each day, or by ordering online or by phone.

NHS Inform includes information on the variety of ways to access home kits here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Get a test if you do not have symptoms | NHS inform
Access the Lateral Flow Device Step-By-Step Guide with Professor Jason Leitch, which can be found in multiple languages here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to do a rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test at home | NHS inform
Access the PCR Step-by-Step Guide with Dr Nicola Steedman, which can be found in multiple languages here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to do a PCR test at home | NHS inform

Links to Other Key COVID-19 Testing Information

NHS Inform Testing Self Help Guide: Self-help guide: Access to testing for coronavirus | NHS inform
NHS Inform Testing information: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Get a test if you do not have symptoms | NHS inform
Gov.scot Testing information: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Map with both asymptomatic testing sites and locations for picking up LFD test kits – Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)

Guests from England

Posted on June 5, 2021June 5, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Travel restrictions for English guests in Scotland

Scottish Coronavirus regulations permit unrestricted travel within Scotland and between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.

However, travel to or from some parts of England is restricted from 24 May.

New COVID-19 variant

This new variant is called DELTA, but also referred to as the variant first identified in India. It is spreading fastest in:

The new COVID-19 variant spreads more easily from person to person.

In the areas listed above, people should minimise travel in and out of affected areas. Find out more.

You can decide as a business owner whether to accept bookings from guests from these areas. However, if you want to cancel a guest from these areas you should refund in full.

Three English council areas are now legally affected under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 24) Regulations 2021.

Bedford Borough Council
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Amendment of schedule 7A (restrictions on leaving or entering Scotland)
4. In paragraph 4 of schedule 7A (restrictions on leaving or entering Scotland)(4), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
“(b)in England, the areas of—
(i)Bedford Borough Council,
(ii)Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,
(iii)Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.”.

Lateral Flow Testing

To reduce the risk of coronavirus being brought into communities, you may want to encourage your guests to undertake a Lateral Flow Test test before they arrive.

You can order rapid lateral flow tests for delivery anywhere in the UK and they should arrive within 24-48 hours.

Guests should test three days before they plan to travel and then again on the day of departure. If they test positive, they should complete the period of self-isolation before they begin their journey. Find out more.

Rebalancing Scottish tourism

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Today, Airbnb has launched the Edinburgh Community Fund, a new grant to ensure the city benefits directly from tourism this summer, as Edinburgh rebuilds from the pandemic.

Around the world Airbnb supports the collection and remittance of tourist taxes as a way to ensure tourism gives back to communities and believes it should be up to each local community to determine if a tourist tax is right for them.

In Edinburgh, which does not have a tourist tax mechanism in place, Airbnb is committed to ensuring that locals benefit from each individual stay this summer – much like how a tourism tax would operate.

Airbnb will donate £5 from each stay that takes place in Edinburgh during the month of August, which includes the summer festival period. The money raised will go towards a fund managed by Hosts from Edinburgh and community organisations, and will back local projects in the city.

Find out more.