Timeline of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland

Key milestone

Chinese authorities alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China. The disease was first referred to as 2019-nCoV. 

Key milestone

WHO assigns the novel coronavirus its official name: COVID-19.

Key milestone

France reports the first official death in Europe from COVID-19.

Key milestone

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

Key milestone

First positive case of COVID19 confirmed in Scotland.

Governments of the UK publish a coronavirus action plan which sets out a collective approach to the outbreak.

WHO declares the virus a pandemic.

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces a £12bn package of emergency support to help the UK .

The first case of community transmission in Scotland unrelated to contact or travel is identified.

Letter issued by the Chief Planner on the relaxation of enforcement of conditions relating to retail distribution in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Key milestone

First confirmed death of a patient in Scotland with COVID-19.

People with symptoms of COVID-19 told to stay at home for seven days

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Catherine Calderwood, to Scottish health boards about the implications of the move to the delay phase on how to identify and manage cases.

Scottish Government advises organisers should cancel or postpone all mass events of 500 people or more – indoors or outdoors.

Key milestone

Cancellation of all mass indoor and outdoor events of 500 people or more.

UK Government begins daily press briefings.

First Minister’s keynote COVID-19 speech to the Scottish Parliament saying “life will change significantly” and emphasising the need for every citizen to reduce all non-essential social contact.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman told MSPs the NHS in Scotland was now on an “emergency footing.”

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces the biggest package of emergency state support for business since the 2008 financial crash.

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell, sends letter to Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, setting out the Scottish Government’s intention to pause work on holding an independence referendum in 2020.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell announces £350m to support people in need.

Scottish Government issues guidance for social landlords.

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic.

In a statement to Parliament, the Scottish Government announces the closure of schools and nurseries by the end of the week.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney’s speech on managing the impacts of coronavirus on Scottish education.

Speech on the UK Government Coronavirus Bill by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs Michael Russell.

Chief Nursing Officer, Fiona McQueen calls for additional health professionals to return to the NHS.

Letter from the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Dr Rose Marie Parr appealing to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to rejoin the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) register.

Key milestone

All schools and nurseries ordered to close by the end of the week

First Minster’s address to the nation warning that Scots were facing the “biggest challenge of our lifetimes” in the fight against coronavirus.

Scottish Government produces guidance for private landlords and letting agents.

The UK government orders all pubs, restaurants, gyms and other social venues across the country to close.

First daily media briefing by the First Minister.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a televised address to the nation, says that people should only go outside to buy food, to exercise once a day, or to go to work if they absolutely cannot work from home. People will face police fines for failure to comply with these new measures.

Nicola Sturgeon states: “Let me blunt. The stringent restrictions on our normal day to day lives that I’m about to set out are
difficult and they are unprecedented. They amount effectively to what has been described as a lockdown.”

Key milestone

First day of ‘lockdown’ in Scotland.

Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf’s speech on Justice and COVID-19 to the Scottish Parliament where he outlines how justice agencies, front-line professionals and other staff are dealing with this emergency situation.

Sea Fisheries Intervention Fund set up to provide emergency hardship support for fishing vessels.

Letter sent to all registered childminders in Scotland from from Children’s Minister Maree Todd confirming that registered childminders should cease all provision besides emergency childcare for key worker families and vulnerable children. 

Joint statement by the Scottish Government and Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on fair work expectations.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Declaration of a serious and imminent threat to public health Announcement of the declaration for the exercise of powers under schedule 21 and 22 of the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Scottish Government produce clinical guidance for the management of clients accessing care at home, housing support and sheltered housing. The guidance is aimed at local authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) and registered providers, who support and deliver care and support to people in their own homes.

People across the UK start a weekly clap at 8pm to thank the NHS workers and caregivers for their service in tackling the pandemic.

Direction under Paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 14 (Review of medical certificates of cause of death and cremations: Scotland) of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (C.7).

Scottish Government produce updated clinical guidance for nursing home and residential care residents.

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Social Work Adviser about COVID-19 clinical guidance for social care settings.

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils a package of measures to help self-employed workers during the economic downturn, giving those earning less than £50,000 a taxable grant equal to 80 percent of their average profits.

Scottish Government publishes rules on staying at home and away from others (social distancing) These measures are required by law using powers from the UK Coronavirus Bill.

Scottish Government produces advice for unpaid carers on COVID-19.

Scottish Government produces guidance for campsites, holiday parks, caravan sites, motorhome hire businesses

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive for the coronavirus.

Scottish Government issues guidance on the closure of daycare services for children.

Scottish Government produces advice for schools and childcare settings who are providing care to children including information on social distancing.

Letter from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Kevin Stewart about guidance on building standards compliance and special measures to enable the occupation of new buildings as a result of COVID-19.

Scottish Government produces guidance for Chief Officers, professional leaders in children’s services and child protection committees.

Scottish Government publishes information for homelessness organisations.

Scottish Government produces guidance setting out the childcare and learning provision for key workers and vulnerable children.

Scottish Government issues advice for organisations and their staff working in non-healthcare public services The aim of this advice is to support implementation of social distancing measures to reduce spread of Covid-19 within public service workplaces.

The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit, due to be held in Glasgow in November, is postponed until 2021.

At least one million people around the world have been infected since the outbreak began, according to figures collected by researchers from Johns Hopkins University.

The global total of confirmed deaths from Covid-19 has passed 50,000, according to the tally of official figures maintained by Johns Hopkins University.

Scottish Government revises guidance on Vitamin D due to people being indoors for much of the day and not getting enough
exposure to sunshine.

Scottish Government produces clinical guidance from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on treating patients with COVID-19.

Scottish Government produces tailored advice for those who live with specific medical conditions. Conditions include: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, IBD; chronic kidney and liver disease; dermatological, neurological, (specific) ophthalmic, respiratory and rheumatic conditions, chronic pain, and rare diseases.

Scottish Government produces advice for livestock keepers on statutory testing.

Scottish Government produces guidance for businesses in Scotland on social distancing, including the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises.

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood resigns after making two trips to her second home during the coronavirus lockdown.

The UK Prime Minister  Boris Johnson is admitted to hospital.

Scottish Government announces that more than 12,000 returning health and social care workers and students have come forward to support the NHS in its response to the outbreak.

Scottish Government announces a £5m package of emergency financial support to university and college students.

Joint statement and guidance issued by the Scottish Government, COSLA and SJC Unions on PPE use in social care.

The global death toll surpasses 100,000.

New domestic abuse campaign launched to highlight the help still available during lockdown. The campaign will will run until 17 May 2020.

Social care staff to receive a 3.3.% pay increase, backdated to 1 April 2020.

£50m Wellbeing Fund opened to assist charities, community and voluntary groups and social enterprises.

New National helpline set up to provide essential assistance to high-risk individuals without family or community support.

Scottish Government announces its second phase of small business relief funding, worth £120m.

Scottish Government announces the creation of the £3m Aquaculture hardship fund, to support shellfish and trout farmers.

A charter flight from China carrying essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and NHS supplies has lands in Scotland

Construction work concludes at the NHS Louisa Jordan hospital at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

NHS Louisa Jordan
hospital opens.

Scottish Government publishes guidance on home learning.

Scottish Government publishes report on the projected impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s economy. 

Scottish Government calls on the UK Government to fill gaps in business funding schemes. 

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf announces proposals for the early release of some short-term prisoners.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop confirms that grant funding for the newly self-employed suffering hardship and SMEs in distress will be made available.

In response to the increase in Universal Credit claims, the Scottish Government, in partnership with the Citizens Advice network, launches a new campaign to raise awareness of the financial support available to people during the pandemic.

Clear Your Head campaign launched to provide advice and support to help people cope during COVID-19.

Social distancing regulations introduced in March are confirmed and extended to protect workers.

‘COVID-19: A Framework for Decision-Making‘ is published by the Scottish Government. The document sets out the position during lockdown and outlines the factors that must be considered as the country moves gradually to ease restrictions.

Scottish Parliament holds its first meeting of the newly formed COVID-19 Committee. The Committee is established as a temporary committee for the duration of the emergency legislation which has been enacted to respond to the pandemic.

A national media campaign is launched to encourage people to seek medical help for urgent health issues which are not related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman urges survivors of childhood abuse to continue seeking help from organisations which are still open and working through the pandemic.

First Minister praises manufacturers and businesses which have stepped in to support frontline services by diversifying production lines, increasing capacity and exploring new distribution routes during the pandemic.

New measures are introduced by the Scottish Government to help patients with emergency eye problems.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham praises Scottish scientific institutions for offering support to tackle the pandemic.

Scottish Government announces that more than 22,000 returning health and social care workers and students have come forward to support the NHS in its response to the outbreak. 

Scottish Government announces that Local Hubs will distribute PPE supplies to the whole of the social care sector where normal supply routes have not been successful. These hubs will extend their provision to include all social care providers, and unpaid or family carers and personal assistants.

Scottish Government produce guidance on the personal use of face coverings during the pandemic.

The Scottish Government announces funding to support new infrastructure programme for pop-up walking and cycling routes or temporary improvements to existing routes to better enable social distancing.

Scottish Government announce that the
‘Rapid Research in COVID-19 funding’ that funds research projects to increase the understanding of COVID-19, screen potential treatments and support clinical trials will benefit from almost £5 million of funding.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirms that all families of frontline NHS staff who die as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) will receive financial support.

The Scottish Government is to convene regular meetings of the Strategic Leadership Group on Oil and Gas and Energy Transition to identify actions to support the sector and its workforce during the pandemic.

The Scottish Government announces a new £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people.

The Scottish Government publishes updated guidance on Domestic Abuse to support the Health Protection (Coronavirus)(Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.
 
The Scottish Government announces that more than £250 million of funding to close the poverty-related attainment gap and aid learning during the pandemic has been allocated to schools
 
The Scottish Government announces a further expansion of testing as it was confirmed that the target to reach capacity for 3,500 tests a day across NHS labs has been exceeded

Two specialist organisations to receive additional funding to support 47,000 autistic people across Scotland during the pandemic
 
Scottish Government announces new measures to assist those affected by drug use during the pandemic
 
Scottish Government announces key mental health services supporting families, young people and autistic people are to receive more than £1 million additional funding

Scottish Government launches the Caring Communities campaign aimed at people helping those in their communities affected by COVID-19.

Scottish Government announces a £5 million fund which will offer interest-free loans to landlords whose tenants are having difficulty paying rent during the current crisis.
 
Scottish Government announces the second phase of the Small Business Grant scheme – which extends grant support to all subsequent eligible properties – is now open for applications.

Key milestone

The National Records of Scotland records the first weekly reduction of registered deaths (for the week ending 3 May)
since the first COVID-19 death was registered in the week beginning 16 March

Scottish Government proposes that as part of the next emergency coronavirus legislation, an additional £19.2 million investment in Carer’s Allowance Supplement will enable a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June.
 
The Scottish Government announces a one-off £75 million increase in funding for Scotland’s universities to ensure they can protect their world-leading research programmes against the financial impact of COVID-19. 

The Scottish Government announces a new £5 million programme called ‘Connecting Scotland’ which will offer internet connection, training and support, and a laptop or tablet to vulnerable people who are not already online during the pandemic.
 
The Scottish Government announces a £100 million emergency loan fund will open on 18 May for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) housebuilders. The loan is aimed at housebuilders with liquidity issues due to the temporary closure of the housebuilding sector.

Scottish Government announces it is doubling its Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund from £45 million to £90 million. The Fund provides grants to SMEs which have been made vulnerable by this crisis. (The funds which make up the £145 million support package are: £34 million Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund; £20 million Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund; £90 million Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund).

Scottish Government announces more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be manufactured in Scotland following the establishment of a new NHS Scotland supply chain.

Scottish Government announces that families on lower incomes and older people are to get more support with extra funding for lifeline services to cope with the pandemic.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announces the advice on how often people can venture outdoors has changed. As of 11 May, people can go outside more than once a day to exercise. This activity should continue to be undertaken close to home. Those going out to exercise should either go alone or with members of their household.

The UK government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal and has published new rules for staying safe outside your home. These new rules will take effect on Wednesday 13 May 2020. The UK Government stipulates that this guidance applies in England and that people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.

A second Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill is introduced to the Scottish Parliament. It includes emergency measures to protect people facing financial hardship and allow public services to operate effectively in response to the pandemic.

National Wellbeing Hub is launched.  The Hub is a new partnership between national, local and professional bodies looking after the emotional and psychological wellbeing of Scotland’s health and social services workers.

Scottish Government confirms an initial £50 million to help the social care sector deal with the financial implications of the pandemic.

Scottish Government announces that properties occupied by charities can now apply for the £10,000 Small Business Grant Scheme to help with pressures caused by the pandemic. The Small Business Grant Scheme is administered by local authorities. Organisations can apply for the scheme through their local council.

UK Government publishes ‘Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy’: a roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

UK Government announces that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (‘furlough scheme’) will remain open until the end of October 2020.

Scottish Government announces that it is working with the National Records of Scotland to produce guidance on how to apply for an emergency marriage or civil partnership during the pandemic.

Scottish Government announces that a quarter of a million packages containing essential supplies have been delivered to people across Scotland facing the highest clinical risks from COVID-19. The free boxes, which include vital food and toiletries, are dropped off weekly to the homes of people who are shielding.

Scottish Government announces that shellfish growers and trout producers will receive a share of £800,000 of funding to help make improvements to their businesses to mitigate the impact of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This investment for small aquaculture businesses is in addition to hardship payments of up to £27,000 which were launched as a direct response to COVID-19 in April.

Scottish Government announces £61,771 has been awarded under the Scottish Government’s Immediate Priorities Fund and will be distributed by the Encompass Network to nine organisations across Scotland who provide specialist support services to women engaged in prostitution.

Key milestone

UK Government announces an update to Coronavirus symptoms. In a statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers, from 18 May, all individuals should self-isolate if they develop a new continuous cough or fever or anosmia. Anosmia is the loss or a change in your normal sense of smell. It can also affect your sense of taste as the two are closely linked.

Scottish Government announces that testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) is to be opened out to everyone who is symptomatic over the age of five

UK Government announces that everyone in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms is now eligible to book a test, ahead of the rollout of the test and trace service

Scottish Government publishes Coronavirus (Covid 19) – enhanced professional clinical and care oversight of care homes. This Guidance includes new arrangements to significantly strengthen oversight of Scotland’s care homes.

Scottish Government announces that Councils will get more support to deal with increased levels of domestic abuse and gender-based violence during the pandemic. New guidance has been developed in partnership with COSLA.

UK Government announces that a new online service will be launched on 26 May for small and medium-sized employers to recover Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees, the government announced.

Scottish Parliament has unanimously supported new emergency measures in the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill. The Bill makes changes that will help public services continue to operate during the coronavirus pandemic. It also includes changes to support businesses and individuals.

Scottish Government announces its Business Support Fund has been increased by £40 million to provide additional support for key sectors of the Scottish economy.

Scottish Government announces £5 million of additional investment to support tenants under financial pressure during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Key milestone

Scottish Government publishes a COVID-19 Routemap to take Scotland through and out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Government announces that pupils will return to schools in August subject to scientific.

Scottish Government announces that community projects are to be given £8 million to help combat isolation. The £8 million is part of the £50 million Wellbeing Fund that supports organisations across the third sector who are helping people through the pandemic.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes urges the UK Government to provide certainty when announcing funding for Scotland to tackle the COVID-19 crisis.

Scottish Government announces that extra financial support will be given to social care workers in Scotland during the Coronavirus emergency.

Scottish Government publishes information and guidance on Test and Protect as well as specific guidelines for employers.

Scottish Government announces preparations for colleges and universities to have a phased campus return in the new academic year.

Key milestone

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the move to Phase 1 of the route map out of lockdown, beginning on Friday 29 May.

NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect scheme is rolled-out across Scotland.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance on physical distancing rules for Phase 1 of the Government’s route map.

Key Milestone

Move to Phase 1 of the route map out of lockdown

Scottish Government announces funding of £159,000 is being given to Living Classrooms to expand their Virtual Nature School programme. The Virtual Nature School (VNS) is a non-profit programme created by Living Classrooms in response to the needs of children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Government announces that data used by NHS Scotland contact tracers will be safely and securely gathered as part of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Test and Protect approach.

Scottish Government publishes ‘Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design, The Framework for NHS Scotland’ which sets out how Health Boards will follow national and local clinical advice to safely and gradually prioritise the resumption of some paused services.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell calls on the UK Government to provide support for people classed as having No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) – including many who have lived and worked across the UK for many years.  It follows remarks from the Prime Minister this week that he would investigate the issue of how many people were affected
by this immigration rule.

Scottish Government announces inshore fishers who usually target shellfish will now be able to diversify into new markets and access fishing opportunities worth up to £2 million. The applies to fishing vessels that are not members of a producer organisation and is not restricted by vessel length.

Scottish Government publish guidance for fully outdoor childcare providers, to support a safe reopening of full outdoor regulated day care of children services, and
guidance for childminder services, which are able to return to operation from 3 June 2020 should they wish to. They must limit the number of households for whom they provide childcare to a maximum of 4, in addition to children of their own household, at any one time.

Scottish Government announce an additional one-off Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment of at least £460.20, to be paid from Friday 26 June.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance on restrictions in place for funeral services and wider public health guidance relevant for funeral services.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announces the health measures being introduced at the UK border in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, in an oral statement to the House of Commons.

Scottish Government publish guidance for funeral directors.

Scottish Government publish guidance for burial and cremation authorities.

Scottish Government publish a report on Personal Protective Equipment supplies.

Scottish Government publish templates that can be used by care homes to identify factors that may impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.

Scottish Government publish guidance to help local authorities, early learning centres and schools continue to support children and young people’s learning during the coronavirus outbreak.

Scottish Government publish guidance to support teachers and other professional practitioners in preparing their curriculum offer for and during the Recovery Phase.

Scottish Government publish new guidance for teachers and councils to prepare for the ‘blended model’ of both classroom and home learning when schools re-open in August.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop highlights the scale of the economic challenge or recovery from COVID-19 crisis.

Scottish Government announce the launch of Carers Week launched with additional support. £300,000 from the £350 million communities funding to support people and communities affected by COVID-19, is being given to support young carers across Scotland.

Scottish Government announce new public health measures will come into force on 8 June to help suppress coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent new cases being brought into Scotland.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell urges the UK Government to provide urgent clarity on charity funding.

Scottish Government announce that eligibility for the Small Business Grant Fund is to be extended to small businesses which share properties but do not pay business rates

Scottish Government publish the first two-monthly report to Scottish Parliament on the use of the emergency powers contained within the Coronavirus Act 2020 and Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020

Scottish Government establish a new expert group to assess the impact of the virus on minority ethnic communities

Scottish Government announce an expert advisory board on social renewal.

Scottish Government publish initial Test and Protect data.

Scottish Government announce the creation of the Scottish Recovery Tourism Taskforce to assist in the reopening of the tourism sector, with a provisional date of 15 July set for when tourism businesses may be able to resume operations.

UK Government publish statistics on the uptake of the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self-Employed Income Support schemes. As of 31 May there have been 628,000 jobs furloughed in Scotland, while 146,000 self-employed individuals in Scotland have claimed under the SEISS.

Scottish Government announce the early access of £11.4m of discretionary funds to support higher education students in financial difficulty, and the suspension of all debt recovery actions by SAAS in respect to grants and bursaries until September 2020.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Welsh First Minster Mark Drakeford have written to the Prime Minister to request an extended Brexit transition period to complete negotiations and support businesses through recovery from the pandemic.

Scottish Government announce a £62 million Energy Transition Fund to help the energy sector recover from the dual economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the oil and gas price crash.

Scottish Government has agreed a funding package for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the charity that underpins the world-famous Fringe Festival, to mitigate the significant losses incurred as a result of this year’s festival not going ahead as planned due to coronavirus (COVID-19) 
 
UK Government Scottish Secretary Alister Jack visits a mobile testing unit in Moffat. to see how UK-wide testing is being expanded, with support from our Armed Forces.

UK Government announce a new working group to measure for coronavirus prevalence in waste water as part of an advance warning system to detect new outbreaks of coronavirus. This UK work is being coordinated by Defra, the Environment Agency and the JBC, working closely with water companies and the Universities of Bangor, Edinburgh, Bath and Newcastle.

Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead tells UK Government that unless the UK Government provides immediate financial support, the potential loss of access to EU funding programmes could result in long-term damage to Scottish university research.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has written to the UK Government calling for urgent action to support housing tenants affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Scottish Government announce that nurseries and other early learning and childcare (ELC) providers have received new guidance to help them plan for reopening when it is safe to do so.
 
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says an Independent Review into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has found that while it now offers a high quality healthcare setting, the initial design didn’t adequately take into account the needs of some vulnerable patients.

UK Government announce reservists returning to civilian work eligible for government support schemes.

Scottish Government announce children eligible for free school meals will be among those who continue to be supported over the summer through a package of £27.6 million of additional funding.

Scottish Government announce a £230 million Return to Work package has been unveiled to help stimulate Scotland’s economy following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
 
UK Government announce clinical researchers will begin human trials of a new coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Imperial College London. Beginning this week, the study will be the first time the vaccine has been trialled in humans and will test whether it is well-tolerated and produces an effective immune response against COVID-19.

UK Government authorise the NHS to use dexamethasone, the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency instructs UK clinical trialists using hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent coronavirus to suspend recruitment of further participants.
 

Scottish Government publish the first estimate of Gross Domestic Product for 2020 Quarter 1 (January to March), capturing the first direct effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and the government measures taken to reduce transmission of the virus

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the move to Phase 2 of the Route Map out of lockdown, with a staged introduction of changes commencing on 19 June.

Scottish Government publish data on the uptake of business support grants. As of 16 June, Local Authorities reported over 93,000 applications have been received for the Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business grant schemes, with over 77,000 grants awarded totalling £875m.

Scottish Government publish a list of all measures undertaken by them to support the food and drink supply chain during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Scottish Government publish new guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector, in light of the move to Phase 2 of the Route Map. Additional guidance for retail, tourism and hospitality customers is also published, providing good practice guidance for consumers when visiting shops.

Key milestone

Move to Phase 2 of the route map out of lockdown.

Scottish Government publish a report on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people experiencing domestic abuse, and other forms of violence against women and girls. The report looks at a number of factors, including referral rates to support organisations, access to support, criminal justice processes and the experience of women and children living with domestic abuse.

Scottish Government publish guidance for the safe use of places of worship, alongside guidance for funerals taking place in places of worship, in advance of 22 June when places of worship will be allowed to reopen for individual prayer or contemplation.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance and an operational checklist for the manufacturing sector, including procedures for planning and maintaining safety at work.

Scottish Government announce that from Wednesday 1 July, NHS Golden Jubilee plans to resume elective ophthalmology, orthopaedics, cardiac surgery and cardiology based on clinical priority

Scottish Government publish guidance to support Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector to reopen safely and prepare for reopening on 15 July (if sufficient progress is made to move to phase 3 of the route-map).

Scottish Government announce that households in Scotland will be sent information explaining how the Test and Protect system works and setting out what to do if someone develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

Key milestone

Face coverings become mandatory on public transport

Scottish Government announce that dental practices can resume seeing see NHS patients in need of urgent care from 22 June (22 June 2020).
 
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop welcomes the 25 recommendations in the report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery. The group, led by Benny Higgins, was tasked with recommending solutions to ensure transition towards a greener, net-zero and wellbeing economy, and to advise on measures to address different challenges the economy will face as Scotland recovers from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney updates Parliament on plans to reopen schools in August.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith has written to all NHS boards outlining that as there is currently insufficient clinical evidence showing the degree of protection antibodies give, or the duration of any protection, the only clinically safe option is to assume no meaningful immunity from a positive result until evidence shows otherwise.

Scottish Government announce that routine testing of health and social care staff is to be extended as more services resume

Scottish Parliament approves £257.6 million of additional funding for councils to help tackle COVID-19

Scottish Government publish an updated route map with indicative dates for Phase 2 and early Phase 3 measures

Scottish Government publish an assessment of the health and social impacts of COVID-19 on particular groups

Scottish Government publish guidance for social care workers and employers about the Social Care Staff Support Fund, that aims to ensure social care workers do not experience financial hardship if they are ill or self-isolating due to coronavirus.

Scottish Government publish guidance for care homes on phasing in the re-introduction of visiting.

Scottish Government publish a guidance framework to support gypsy/traveller communities; to help local authorities and their partners in decision-making in their local response to COVID-19 in relation to Gypsy/Travellers .

Scottish Government publish guidance for the safe use of community food growing spaces, such as community gardens and allotments.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance for second homes.

Scottish Government announce that under the move to phase two of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown street-access high street shops and retail can now re-open once guidance is implemented.
 
Scottish Government establish a new advisory group which meets for the first time on Monday 29 June. The Mobilisation Recovery Group, led by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, will work to balance the safe resumption of some health care services that were paused during the initial response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
Scottish Government announce some NHS national cervical screenings in Scotland
which were paused in March because of coronavirus (COVID-19) are set to resume.

Scottish Government publish Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK fiscal path – a new approach. The report calls for a UK-wide £80 billion stimulus package to regenerate the economy and reduce inequalities following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Scottish Government publish guidance to help Scotland’s colleges and universities prepare for a safe and phased return to campus.

Scottish Government publish guidance for hospitals on safely phasing in the reintroduction of visitors.

Scottish Government publish guidance for the creative industries, in particular for providers and users of creative studios, to facilitate safer working during the coronavirus pandemic.

Key milestone

Due to a spike in cases in Dumfries & Galloway, the Scottish Government implements the first localised delay in the relaxation of restrictions. Other areas would be impacted in a similar way as the pandemic continued.

Scottish Government publish an update and confirmation dates for the remainder of Phase 2.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces face coverings to be made mandatory in shops from 10 July.

Scottish Government announce a targeted £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues.

UK Government announce £1.57 billion investment for cultural, arts and heritage institutions

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart publishes an open letter to social housing tenants containing information and advice for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announces a package of financial support in his Summer Statement.

Scottish Government announce the lifting of quarantine measures for passengers arriving from 57 overseas destinations and the 14 UK overseas territories. .

Scottish Government announce changes for people who are shielding.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the move to Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown. This includes changes to indoor and outdoor household gatherings from 10 July, the reopening of shops in shopping centres and dentists from 13 July, and the reopening of hairdressers, pubs, restaurants, holiday accommodation, visitor attractions, cinemas and places of worship from 15 July, with some restrictions.

Scottish Government announce new initiatives to support homebuyers and help people into work or to re-train.

Key milestone

Move to Phase 3 of the route map out of lockdown

Face covering become mandatory in shops

Scottish Government announce a comprehensive package of support for innovative early stage businesses whose routes to investment and growth have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) .

UK Government announce theory tests and motorcycle training will restart in Scotland on Wednesday 22 July, and motorcycle tests and tractor tests will restart on Monday 3 August.

UK Government Competition and Markets Authority (a non-ministerial government department) has published an open letter to all businesses involved in organising package holidays for UK consumers .

Scottish Government announce coastal communities across Scotland will receive £9.7 million of revenue generated by the Scottish Crown Estate’s marine assets to mitigate the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Scottish Government announce that people in hospital who do not have coronavirus (COVID-19) will be able to have a designated visitor from Monday 13 July.

Scottish Government calls for the UK government to suspend their restrictions in order to prevent homelessness and destitution among people who have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Scottish Government announce the Breast Screening Programme which was paused in March because of coronavirus (COVID-19) is to resume safely and carefully from 3 August.

UK Government announce the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme for Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption.

Scottish Government announce places of worship will be able to re-open from 15 July.

UK Government announce that 736,000 Scottish workers have been furloughed as part of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, an increase of 100,000 since the end of May. 155,000 self-employed people in Scotland have been paid through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Scottish Government announce the creation of the Transitional Support Fund, with funding of £11.4m available to help childcare providers in the private and third sectors, including out-of-school care providers.
 
Scottish Government announce a £100m package of support for people looking for work or those at risk of redundancy.

Scottish Government launch the Agriculture Loan Scheme, which aims to maintain cash flow for farmers and crofters during COVID-19

Scottish Government, STUC, SCVO, COSLA, IoD and SCDI publish a revised fair work statement, underlining the collaborative approach needed between employers, unions and workers to ensure workplaces can operate safely during COVID-19.

The University of Oxford publishes its findings from a coronavirus vaccine trial, noting that the vaccine appears safe and triggers an immune response. More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in the next stage of the trial.

Scottish Government announce additional mental health support for health and social care staff.
 
Scottish Government announce the permitted reopening of drive-in entertainment from 22 July.
 
Scottish Government announce the lifting of quarantine rules for Spain.

Scottish Government announce an extension of COVID-19 testing to include children under the age of five from 22 July.

Scottish Government announce changes to shielding – from 1 August 2020 people who have been advised to shield will no longer be required to do so.

Scottish Government announce the creation of the £4 million Museums Resilience and Recovery Fund.

Scottish Government announce the reintroduction of quarantine restrictions for Spain from 26 July, requiring those arriving from the country to quarantine for 14 days.

Scottish Government announce a £10 million funding package to support the recovery of the events sector from COVID-19.

Scottish Government announce a £14 million Hotel Recovery Programme to support Scotland’s larger hotels.

Key milestone

Advice on self-isolation changed from 7 to 10 days

Scottish Government announce an expansion of available dental services from 17 August.

Scottish Government announce thatschools will re-open full-time from 11 August, following scientific evidence and advice that it is safe to do so.
 
Scottish Government announce that passengers from Luxembourg will be required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Scotland due to an increased number of cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
 

Scottish Government announce that people living in Scotland are being advised to avoid travel to areas in North West Englandhttps://www.gov.scot/news/travel-to-north-west-of-england/ facing new lockdown restrictions .
 
 
Scottish Government announce a new contact tracing app to support NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system is now in development .

Scottish Government announce that homeless people and others affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak are to receive further support through the Scottish Government’s emergency funding for communities.
 
Scottish Government announce Scotland’s four science centres are being offered an extra £2 million in emergency funding to help weather the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Key milestone

UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Our scheme launches, allowing diners to receive a maximum £10 discount per person at participating restaurants, bars and cafes.

Scottish Government announce the social care sector will receive up to £50 million further additional funding to help meet additional costs related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Scottish Government announce the introduction of local restrictions in Aberdeen. Taking effect from 5pm on Wednesday 5 August,

Key milestone

Pupils return to Scotland’s schools

The Scottish Professional Football League announce the postponement of a limited number of Scottish Premiership fixtures and the introduction of a package of measure following a breach of protocols by a player.

Scottish Government announce France, the Netherlands, Aruba, Turks and Caicos, Malta and Monaco to be removed from the list of destinations exempt from quarantine requirements, effective from 4am on Saturday 15 August.

Scottish Government introduce new regulations for the hospitality industry. From Friday 14 August it is mandatory for hospitality settings to collect the contact details of visitors to their premises in support of Test and Protect.

Scottish Government announce a support package of £3.8 million for the National Trust for Scotland to aid the heritage organisation’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

UK Government announce that the second stage of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme is open for applications.

Scottish Government announce £1 million funding for Aberdeen businesses affected by temporary measures.

Scottish Government announce that Scotland is to remain in Phase 3 of the route map, as COVID-19 remains a significant threat to public health. The Government publish an updated route map setting out dates for further changes.

Scottish Government announce that travellers from Austria, Croatia, Switzerland and Trinidad and Tobago will be required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Scotland. At the same time Portugal will be added to the list of destinations where travellers will be exempt from the requirement to quarantine.

UK Government announce that driver training will restart in Scotland on Monday 24 August 2020, with driving tests restarting from Monday 14 September 2020.

Scottish Government announce low carbon investment to be fast-tracked to support COVID-19 recovery

Key milestone

Face coverings introduced in schools. Scottish Government publish updated guidance for pupils and staff on the use of face coverings in schools and on school transport.

Scottish Government announce that work has begun to set up the first of eleven walk-through testing sites planned to be up and running before winter.
 
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop updates Parliament on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on completion of the two ferries at the Ferguson shipyard.

Scottish Government announce that NHS Scotland has agreed a £6.76 million deal to purchase new machines capable of turning around coronavirus (COVID-19) tests in 12 minutes.  UK-based life sciences company LumiraDx will supply 300 rapid testing machines as well as a minimum of 500,000 tests.

Scottish Government announce that Police Scotland will be granted powers to break up large house parties from Friday 28 August.  Restrictions on social gatherings will come into force making it an offence to breach coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance by having a large house party indoors.

The Competition and Markets Authority publishes further detail on its views on the law in relation to cancellations and refunds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UK Government announce the investment of £8.4 million in COVID-19 immunology research projects across the UK, including the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. The studies aim to improve the treatment of patients and inform the development of vaccines and therapies.

Scottish Government announce £2.4m of new funding to help households with money problems. The funding will be distributed among a number of advice organisations to expand their services and invest in more effective methods to help individuals with problem debt.

Scottish Government announce an additional £1m of funding to recruit and train up to 25 new contact tracers, specifically to support quarantine efforts.

Scottish Government announce restrictions on indoor gatherings and limits to hospital and care home visiting in East Renfrewshire, Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire, from midnight on Tuesday 1 September. Schools and nurseries will remain open, and plans for the opening of colleges and universities remain in place.

Scottish Government announce that travellers from Greece will be required to self-isolate from 4am on Thursday 03 September.

Scottish Government publish the 2020-21 Programme for Government, with a focus on ensuring Scotland’s economic, health, and social recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Scottish Government announce the resumption of health and wellbeing visits to care homes from 07 September. The new guidance recommends that enhanced visiting is only resumed in care homes where there are no active cases, have been free of COVID-19 for 28 days, and are actively participating in the care home worker testing programme.

Scottish Government announce that travellers from Portugal and French Polynesia will be required to self-isolate from 4am on Saturday 05 September.

Scottish Government announce that patients with chronic eye conditions will be now be able to be assessed by community optometrists as part of a new plan supported by £3 million in funding.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the restrictions on meetings in indoor household settings in West Scotland are to be extended to people living in Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire. Indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits.

Scottish Government announce the launch of the Protect Scotland app.

Scottish Government publish an updated route map, limiting indoor and outdoor gatherings to six people from two households, as Scotland remains in Phase 3

Scottish Government launch the Scottish Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Fund.

Scottish Government announce quarantine measures for people travelling to Scotland from Hungary and La Réunion, while Sweden is added to exemption list.

UK Government announce investment in Covid research at St Andrews University.

Scottish Government publish guidance for universities, colleges and student accommodation providers.

Scottish Government announce the extension of local restrictions to North and South Lanarkshire, limiting household gatherings from midnight on Friday 11 September.

Scottish Government announce a £2m Islands Green Recovery Programme, included in the Programme for Government, which aims to support island communities in their economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Data published by the Chief Statistician shows the Scottish Economy contracted by 19.4% during the second quarter of 2020, covering the period April to June. During the second quarter output in the Construction sector contracted by 41.5%, output in Production contracted by 15.7%, and output in the Services sector contracted by 18.7%.

Scottish Government publish a research report exploring the costs and benefits of extending the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on a temporary basis. The report estimates that extending the scheme by eight months could save 61,000 jobs in Scotland, at a direct cost of an estimated £850 million.

Scottish Government announce £4.25m extra funding for charities and projects tackling violence against women and girls.

The UK Chief Medical Officers issue a joint statement recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 3 to level 4.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce new restrictions on household visits and a national curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants from 23 September 2020.

Scottish Government publish the Autumn Budget Revision for 2020-21, outlining further funding allocations. COVID-19 spending reaches £6.5bn.

Key milestone

10pm curfew introduced in the hospitality sector.

UK Government publish the Winter Economy Plan, outlining additional government support to businesses and workers across the UK. The package includes a new Jobs Support Scheme, extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and 15% VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors, and help for businesses in repaying government-backed loans.

Scottish Government publish guidance for those living in student accommodation, following the restrictions announced on 25 September. The guidance outlines what students can and cannot do and what they need to think about if they are considering a return home on a permanent basis.

Scottish Government publish the State of the Economy report, summarising recent developments in the global, UK and Scottish economies and providing an analysis of the performance of, and outlook for, the Scottish economy. The report notes that the Scottish economy has recovered half the fall in GDP which followed the imposed lockdown in March, while unemployment is expected to increase to 8.2% by the end of 2020.

Universities Scotland announce a package of ten measures designed to support student wellbeing.

Scottish Government announce a new grant to support people on low incomes if they are asked to self-isolate. The Self-Isolation Support Grant aims to help those who would lose income if they needed to self-isolate, such as those unable to carry out their work from home.

Scottish Government announce the extension of quarantine rules for travellers from Poland, Turkey, and the Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Travellers arriving from the Azores and Madeira will no longer need to quarantine.

Scottish Government announce a nationwide survey for education staff in schools or early learning centres to help identify the proportion of people working in an education setting who have had COVID-19. Staff wishing to participate will receive an invite to register and a selection of registered eligible staff will be sent a home testing kit to take a small sample of blood for antibody testing each month until summer 2021.

Scottish Government publish the Coronavirus (COVID-19): mental health needs of hospitalised patients – report. Dr Nadine Cossette was commissioned to examine mental health needs of patients hospitalised due to COVID-19. Her report contains analysis of need and recommendations for action to support recovery.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance for parent and baby groups, increasing the number of adults allowed to attend. When all children in a group are less than 12 months old, and other health and safety criteria are met, groups will now allow up to ten adults to be present at one time. Where children are over 12 months, the maximum number of adults allowed will remain five.

The Construction Leadership Forum publish a plan for the sector’s recovery from the impact of coronavirus.

Finance Ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland issue a joint call for greater fiscal flexibility to manage the implications of coronavirus (COVID-19), involvement in the Spending Review and an assurance that lost EU funding will be replaced in full and brought under the control of devolved administrations.

Scottish Government announce plans for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to go ahead in 2021, while National 5 exams will be replaced by a system where grades are awarded based on coursework and teacher judgement.

Scottish Government announce new temporary measures, restricting hospitality opening times to 6am-6pm indoors, with no sales of alcohol. All licensed premises in the central belt area will be required to close, with the exception of takeaway services. Outdoor live events, adult contact sports and indoor group exercise classes (18+) are to be paused. Snooker/pool halls, indoor bowling, casinos and bingo halls are to close. Shops across Scotland are asked to return to two metres physical distancing. The new restrictions will be backed by a £40 million support fund for business and the existing UK Job Retention Scheme and will be in place nationwide for 16 days.

Scottish Government launch the National Transition Training Fund. The Fund, which aims to boost the supply of skills in areas such as sustainable green jobs, is open to anyone aged 25 or over who is unemployed, economically inactive or at risk of unemployment due to the impact of Covid-19.

Scottish Government and COSLA agree additional spending powers and funding for councils to address the financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic over the next two years.

Scottish Government publish the Mental Health – Transition and Recovery plan, outlining the Government’s response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19.

Scottish Government announce the creation of the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund, which will provide one-off grants of up to £3,000, depending on rateable value, to bars, restaurants and other businesses required to close by regulations. A hardship fund with grants of up to £1,500 will support some businesses that remain open but are directly impacted by the restrictions.

UK Government announce the Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to support businesses that required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions. The UK government will support eligible businesses by paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%), up to a maximum of £2,100 a month. The scheme will begin on 1 November and will be available for six months.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the wearing of face coverings is to become mandatory in workplace canteens from Friday 16 October, and in communal workplace areas, such as corridors and social spaces from Monday 19 October.

Scottish Government announce the extension of quarantine rules for travellers from Italy, San Marino and Vatican City State. Travellers arriving from mainland Greece and the Greek islands, except Mykonos, will no longer need to quarantine.

Scottish Government launch the ‘Scotland Loves Local’ grant for local projects. The funding aims to support small scale improvements that will help motivate people to shop, eat and relax within their community whilst ensuring public health safety.

Scottish Government announce further funding for councils to provide free school meals through the winter breaks and additional flexibility to use £20 million, previously held in reserve for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to support people in their communities.

Scottish Government announce the extension of temporary restrictions until 2 November and additional funding for businesses. The COVID-19 Restrictions Fund will now provide one-off grants of up to £4,310 to businesses required to close by regulations. For businesses that may remain open but are directly impacted by the restrictions, the maximum hardship fund grant will increase to £2,155.

Scottish Government announce a £2 million support package for residential outdoor education centres.

Scottish Government announce quarantine measures for travellers from Liechtenstein. Canary Islands, Denmark, the Maldives and Mykonos are added to exempt list.

UK Government announce increased financial support through the Job Support and self-employed schemes.

Key milestone

Scottish Government publish the five-level Strategic Framework, which indicates different levels of protection that might be needed based on different levels of transmission for the virus. The levels are due to come into force on 2 November.

Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce publish its recommendations for supporting the tourism sector’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Public Health Scotland publish its report on discharges from NHS hospitals to care homes in Scotland.

Scottish Government announce a NHS Winter Preparedness Plan to support health and care services over the Winter.

Key milestone

Scottish Government launch face covering exemption cards for people who are unable to wear coverings due to health conditions, disabilities or other special circumstances.

Scottish Government announce the new local authority protection measures in force from 6am on Monday 2 November.

Scottish Government announce changes to the way people access A&E will be tested in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, ahead of a national redesign of urgent care, planned for launch across Scotland in December.

Scottish Government announce the extension of quarantine rules for travellers from Cyprus and Lithuania, who must quarantine on arrival in Scotland for 14 days from 4am on Sunday 1 November.

Scottish Government publish updated schools guidance, increasing the use of face coverings for parents and visitors, adults where they cannot keep two metres from other adults and/or children, and S4-6 pupils in Level 3 and 4 areas.

Scottish Government announce additional funding for the Scottish Ambulance Service to help improve capacity and resilience over winter.

Scottish Government announce a £15 million funding package to respond to children and young people’s mental health issues, with a focus on those brought about by the pandemic.

Scottish Government publish the Care Home Review (A rapid review of factors relevant to the management of COVID-19 in the care home environment in Scotland).

Scottish Government publish the Adult Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan, backed by £112 million investment to support the sector over winter.

Scottish Government launch the Young Person’s Guarantee, which aims to give young people in Scotland the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus.

Scottish Government announce the extension of quarantine rules for travellers from Germany and Sweden.

UK Government announce the extension of furlough to March and increased self-employed support.

Scottish Government introduce travel controls on travellers who have been in Denmark in the past 14 days, in addition to a Home Office ban on entry for people arriving from Denmark.

Pfizer and BioNTech publish positive efficacy results from Phase 3 studies of their potential Covid-19 vaccine, showing it to be more than 90% effective in preventing coronavirus in participants.

Scottish Government announce Angus, Fife and Perth & Kinross council areas will move from protection level 2 to protection level 3 from 6am on Friday 13 November.

Scottish Government announce plans for a COVID-19 student testing scheme, which aims to support the safe return of up to 80,000 students ahead of the winter break.

Scottish Government announce new quarantine rules for travellers from Greece – except the islands of Crete, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes and Zante – as well as the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus. Bahrain, Cambodia, Chile, Iceland, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turks and Caicos Islands and Laos are being added to the list of destinations exempt from quarantine on arrival in Scotland, effective from 4am on Saturday 14 November.

Scottish Government announce the second phase of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund will open to applications on 16 November 2020. The fund helps businesses invest in their workforce and is available for all of Scotland’s employers who are subject to the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy.

UK Government announce the opening of 2 new ‘megalabs’ which will become operational in early 2021. The 2 labs, one based in Leamington Spa with a second lab located in Scotland, will each add 300,000 to the UK’s daily testing capacity when operating at full capacity.

Scottish Government announce further funding for six organisations supporting people subject to No Recourse to Public Funds.

Scottish Government announce £1 million funding for digital devices to keep care home residents connected.

Scottish Government announce updated COVID-19 protection levels and travel regulations preventing people who live in a Level 3 or Level 4 area from travelling outside their local authority except for an essential purpose.

Scottish Government publish the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill. The bill allows arrangements to be put in place for the Scottish general election in response to Covid-19.

Biotech company Moderna publishes positive efficacy results from its Phase 3 studies of its potential COVID-19 vaccine.

Scottish Government outlines plans for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.

Scottish Government announce East Lothian will move down to Level 2 on 24 November.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce details of a UK-wide “limited relaxation” of coronavirus restrictions over the Christmas period.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announces plans for an expansion in testing for hospital patients, health and social care staff, and communities in Level 4 areas.

Scottish Government announce the removal of the travel ban on visitors from Denmark. Arrivals from Denmark, Estonia and Latvia will need to complete a self-isolation period of 14 days.

Scottish Government announce £2 million funding for UNICEF to help address the impact of the pandemic on children in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda.

Scottish Government announce £11.8 million additional funding to help businesses take advantage of digital technologies.

Scottish Government announce the extension of the £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant to include parents on low incomes whose children are asked to self-isolate and people who may be eligible for Universal Credit, but have not yet applied.
 
Scottish Government announce the Winter Plan for Social Protection and a £100m support package for communities.
 
Scottish Government announce a one-off £500 payment for health and social care staff.

Scottish Government announce two new initiatives to increase apprenticeships. The £15 million Apprenticeship Employer Grant will provide funding for employers taking or upskilling an apprentice. Pathways Apprenticeships will offer 26 weeks of training with a £100 weekly allowance.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the opening of Scotland’s first Community Asymptomatic Test (CAT) site in Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
 
UK Government announce that the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been authorised by the medicines regulator for use in the UK.

Scottish Government announce changes to the way patients access emergency hospital treatment. Anyone with a non-life threatening condition who would usually go to A&E should now call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.
 
Scottish Government announce a six week temporary halt to evictions from rented properties.

Scottish Government announce lateral flow testing of designated visitors will be trialled in 14 care homes in North Ayrshire, Fife, Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, and Aberdeenshire.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the first vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme.

Scottish Government announce Higher and Advanced Higher exams will not go ahead and will be replaced with awards based on teacher judgement of evidence of pupils’ attainment.

Scottish Government announce the self-isolation period for positive contacts and overseas arrivals will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days.

Scottish Government announce £750,000 for student associations to assist with welfare advice on campuses.

Scottish Government announce £5.91 million for tackling social isolation and loneliness.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the first vaccinations in care homes in Scotland have taken place.

Scottish Government announce the expansion of funded early learning and childcare from August 2021.

Scottish Government announce that on Friday 18 December at 6pm, East Lothian, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire will move up to Level 3 of the COVID-19 protection scale.

Scottish Government announce the opening of the first of three regional laboratory hubs set up to increase Scotland’s testing capacity.

Scottish Government publish statistics showing that the Scottish Economy grew by 16.0% during the third quarter of 2020, covering the period July to September.

Scottish Government updates the travel quarantine list, with those travelling from Namibia, Uruguay and the US Virgin Islands now required to quarantine from 4am on Saturday, 19 December.

Key milestone

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions around the festive period. The easing of restrictions around Christmas will now be limited to Christmas Day itself, and not the previous 5-day window that was planned. From Boxing Day, all of Scotland will have Level 4 restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality. Other than for specific exemptions, travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal from midnight on Sunday 20 December.

Scottish Government announce Dr Gregor Smith has been appointed Chief Medical Officer. Professor Amanda Croft has been appointed Chief Nursing Officer and Caroline Lamb has been appointed Chief Executive of NHS Scotland.

Scottish Government announce community testing in areas with high coronavirus prevalence will begin in January 2021.

Scottish Government announce a ban on entry for visitors from South Africa.

Scottish Government announce additional £48 million funding for level 4 changes.

Key milestone

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK.

Scottish Government urge the public to stay home during Hogmanay to suppress COVID-19.

The UK Chief Medical Officers issue a statement on the prioritisation of first doses of the coronavirus vaccines.

Scottish Government announce mainland Scotland is to go into lockdown from 5 January 2021 with a new legal requirement forbidding anyone from leaving their home except for essential purposes.

The UK Chief Medical Officers issue a joint statement recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 4 to level 5.

Scottish Government announce the roll-out of the Astrazeneca vaccine .

Key milestone

Mainland Scotland goes into lockdown.

Scottish Government announce coronavirus testing will be available from two fire stations in Thurso and Lochgilphead between 6 and 29 January, as part of a trial to increase testing access in remote and rural areas.

Scottish Government announce the temporary ban on eviction orders will be extended until the end of March.

Scottish Government announce people arriving in Scotland from Botswana, Israel (and Jerusalem), Mauritius or Seychelles will need to self-isolate from 4am on Saturday, 9 January.

UK Government announce NHS patients across the UK will receive new potentially life-saving COVID-19 treatments that could cut hospital time by 10 days. Results from the government-funded REMAP-CAP clinical trial showed tocilizumab and sarilumab reduced the relative risk of death by 24%, when administered to patients within 24 hours of entering intensive care.

Scottish Government announce university students will be taught online throughout January and February.

Scottish Government announce the rollout of the Oxford/Astrazeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine in GP practices and community vaccination centres from Monday 11 January.

Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service announce changes to criminal court practices to reduce transmission of coronavirus, which will reduce the overall number of criminal trials taking place during lockdown by up to 75%.

Scottish Government announce that from 0400 on Monday 18 January 2021, passengers travelling to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must have a valid negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than three days before travel.

Scottish Government announce the strengthening of lockdown restrictions from 00:01 on Saturday 16 January. Non-essential click and collect retail services will be prohibited in Level 4 areas, with changes in five other key areas including restrictions on the consumption of alcohol in public places.

Following identification of a new variant of coronavirus in Brazil, the Scottish Government announce additional restrictions imposed on all arrivals from South America, Portugal, Panama, Cabo Verde and the Falkland Islands.

Scottish Government announce the suspension of all travel corridors.

Scottish Government announce funding to help vulnerable young people into work.

Scottish Government announce £3 million additional funding for Aberdeen Performing Arts, Eden Court Highlands and Capital Theatres.

Key milestone

All travel corridors are suspended.

Scotland introduces pre-departure testing for international travellers.

Scottish Government announce additional funding for taxi and private hire drivers.

Scottish Government announce £750,000 investment in local carer centres.

Scottish Government announce five independent hospitals will support NHS Scotland with elective care.

Scottish Government updates the taxi grant criteria to include taxi drivers in receipt of state benefits.

Scottish Government announce current lockdown measures will stay in place across mainland Scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of February. Barra and Vatersay will move into lockdown from 00:01 on Wednesday (20 January) following a sharp increase in infection rates.

Scottish Government publish the response to the Scottish Tourism Taskforce recommendations.

Scottish Government launch the vaccination information campaign ‘Roll your sleeves up’.

Scottish Government announce £1 million funding for childminders.

Scottish Government publish “If not now, when?” – Social Renewal Advisory Board report.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce invitations for COVID-19 vaccine appointments for people aged 70-79 will commence from Monday 25 January.

UK Government announce commercial manufacturing of the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine candidate begins in Livingston, West Lothian.

Scottish Government announce additional restrictions on travellers arriving in Scotland from the United Arab Emirates, Rwanda and Burundi. Aircraft from the UAE into Scotland is banned from 1300 on 29 January.

BBC News reports the Novavax vaccine shows 89.3% efficacy at preventing Covid-19 in participants in its Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK.

Scottish Government announce mass vaccination centres will open in Edinburgh and Aberdeen on 1 February.

Scottish Government announce the Western Isles will move to Level 4 due to rise in cases.

Scottish Government announce coaching and mentoring support for teachers who are new in post, or working in pastoral or child protection roles.

Scottish Government announce supervised quarantine and expansion of testing. Current restrictions, including the ‘stay-at-home’ requirement, are set to remain in place until at least the end of February and schools will continue to be closed to most children for the rest of the month. Children in early learning and childcare and in primaries 1-3 are scheduled to make a full return to nurseries and schools from 22 February.

Scottish Government extends the criteria for the Self-Isolation Support Grant.

Scottish Government announce £7.75 million funding for the seafood sector.

UK Government announce mandatory hotel quarantine will be introduced from 15 February for anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK’s travel ban list.

Scottish Government announce all arrivals to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must book and pay for managed isolation in quarantine hotels from 15 February 2021. All arrivals must quarantine for at least ten days and will be tested twice for the virus – once on day two and once on day eight after arrival. 

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the number of first dose vaccinations in Scotland reaches the 1 million milestone.

UK Government announce a further 353 Armed Forces personnel will be deployed to locations across Scotland to support the testing and vaccine delivery programmes.

Scottish Government announce children in early learning and childcare (ELC) and primaries 1 to 3 will return full-time to classrooms from Monday 22 February.

Scottish Government announce the non-domestic rates relief will be extended for the 2021-22 period.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce an expansion of testing to include anyone who is identified as a close contact of somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19, from 18 February 2021.

Scottish Government announce routine indoor visiting of care home residents will resume from early March with care providers supporting residents to have up to two designated visitors each and one visit a week for each visitor.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce people with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers are beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Children in early learning and childcare, and primaries 1 to 3, return full-time to classrooms

Scottish Government launch the £7 million Equality and Human Rights Fund.

Scottish Government publish the updated Strategic Framework, setting out the broad order of priority for re-opening and the conditions that need to be met to start lifting restrictions.

Scottish Government announce the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund has reopened for applications.

Scottish Government launch the £15 million Scottish Community Lenders Fund to support affordable lending services.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce Scotland’s vaccination programme has delivered first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to a third (33.4%) of those eligible – more than 1.5 million people.

The UK Chief Medical Officers issue a joint statement recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 5 to level 4.

Scottish Government launch the Workforce Specialist Service, which offers confidential mental health assessment and treatment to health and social care professionals.

Scottish Government announce access to testing is now available from 21 fire stations across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issues interim advice on Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination programme rollout. Evidence suggests an age-based approach remains the most effective way of reducing death and hospitalisation from COVID-19.

Scottish Government announce three cases of a COVID-19 Variant of Concern first identified in Manaus, Brazil, have been identified in Scotland.

Scottish Government announce Phase 2 of schools return. All remaining primary school children are set to return to school full-time from 15 March, with all secondary pupils returning on a part-time basis from that date.

UK Government announce the furlough scheme and Universal Credit uplift will be extended until the end of September.

MHRA announce modified COVID-19 vaccines for variants will be fast-tracked.

Scottish Government announce vaccinations for those aged between 55 and 59 years old (group 8 on the priority list) will start in the week beginning 15 March.

Scottish Government announce changes to level 4 restrictions. From Friday 12 March up to four adults from two households can meet locally outdoors for social and recreational purposes as well as exercise. Outdoor non-contact sports and group exercise will also resume for adults in groups of up to 15 people.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises prioritising homeless people and rough sleepers for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Scottish Government launch the coronavirus vaccine self-registration service for unpaid carers.

Scottish Government publish a timetable for easing restrictions. Stay at Home regulations are to be lifted on 2 April and replaced with guidance to Stay Local, with more services including hairdressers, garden centres and non-essential click and collect services able to open from 5 April.

Scottish Government announce Scotland’s vaccination programme has delivered first doses of the coronavirus vaccine to more than two million people – 44% of the adult population.
 
Scottish Government publish an updated testing strategy, including a £13 million investment in 2021/22 to establish Scotland’s own genomic sequencing service to track new COVID-19 variants and manage future outbreaks.

Scottish Government announce a £2 million City Centres Recovery Fund and a £2 million Regional Recovery Fund.

Scottish Government announce the closure of NHS Louisa Jordan. The hospital, which was set up to support Scotland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is to close on 31 March, with the mass vaccination centre relocating to The SSE Hydro.

UK regulator confirms that people should continue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca. Following suspensions by some countries of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca over suspected blood clots, the MHRA confirms that the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 far outweigh the risks.

Scottish Government announce £2.75 million for Round Two of the Better Places Green Recovery Fund to support activities in areas suffering the most countryside related visitor pressures during the 2021 season.

Scottish Government announce places of worship in Level 4 areas can reopen from Friday 26 March.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce Non-essential journeys within the local authority area are allowed from Friday 2 April when a requirement to Stay Local will replace the Stay at Home rule. Hairdressers, garden centres, car showrooms and forecourts, homeware stores and non-essential click and collect services can open from Monday 5 April.

Scottish Government announce Nearly all pupils will return to full-time school after the Easter holidays, with children on the shielding list advised to stay at home until 26 April.

JCVI publish New advice regarding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine following reports of extremely rare blood clots. Adults aged under 30 with no underlying conditions should be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine where available.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce Travel within Scotland for outdoor socialising, recreation and exercise, and outdoor meetings in groups of up to six adults from up to six households will be allowed from Friday 16 April.

JCVI publish New advice on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women. Pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce all parts of the country will move to Level 3 from Monday 26 April. Hospitality venues such as cafés, pubs and restaurants can reopen, along with tourist accommodation.

Scottish Government announce Free lateral flow test kits to be available for anyone without symptoms from Monday 26 April.

Key milestone

The World Health Organization classifies the COVID19 B.1.617 mutation, first found in India, as a variant of concern.

Scottish Government announce most of mainland Scotland (with the exception of Moray) will move to level 2 from Monday 17 May, with eased restrictions on hospitality, entertainment, education and sport. Most islands to move to level 1. The number of people and households that can meet inside homes in Level 2 has been increased to six people from three households. From 17 May, anyone entering Scotland from countries on a new international travel ‘Green List’ will not be required to quarantine on arrival, but will have to take a PCR test for COVID-19.

Scottish Government announce Glasgow and Moray will remain in Level 3 from Monday 17 May due to a high rate of COVID-19 cases. Travel to and from these areas will be prohibited other than for permitted purposes.

Scottish Government announce Scotland’s vaccination roll-out has reached two thirds of the eligible population.

Scottish Government – John Swinney is appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery.

Scottish Government launches the COVID-19 vaccination status scheme. The service will provide confirmation of vaccination when required for foreign travel.

Scottish Government announce Moray moves to Level 2 from midnight, 21 May. Glasgow is to remain at Level 3.

Scottish Government donate 100 oxygen concentrators and 40 continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilators to the Indian Government to support its fight against COVID-19.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the priorities for the Scottish Government in the first 100 days, including completing the vaccination of all adults (subject to supply); establishing a cross-party steering group on COVID recovery; and publishing an NHS Recovery plan.

Scottish Government announce £3 million Destination and Sector Marketing Fund for tourism organisations to promote key visitor destinations in a responsible and sustainable way.
 
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the one-dose Janssen Covid-19 vaccine for use in the UK.

Scottish Government announce Glasgow will move to Level 2 on Saturday 5 June 2021, while 15 mainland local authorities will move to Level 1. All islands currently in Level 1 will move to Level 0 at the same time due to sustained low numbers of cases.
 
World Health Organisation renames UK and other variants with Greek letters.

Scottish Government announce £12 million of funding for businesses in Level 2 areas – including those in the hospitality, events, weddings and soft play sectors, additional funding for taxi drivers and operators and  £25 million to support the culture sector.

Scottish Government announce Education Scotland and the SQA will be reformed as part of Scotland’s education recovery plans.
 
Scottish Government announce £1 million funding to support legal aid trainees.
 
Scottish Government announce Portugal will be placed on the amber travel list.

Scottish Government announce £1 million support fund for Armed Forces charities.
 
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for use in 12- to 15-year-olds.

Scottish Government announce Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE is appointed as the Scottish Government’s next Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA).

International health ministers from the G7 have committed to a new international agreement making it easier and quicker to share results from vaccine and therapeutic trials to tackle COVID-19 and prevent future health threats.

Scottish Government announce rapid test kits to be rolled out to community pharmacies from 9 June.

Scottish Government announce the expansion of the national vaccination programme to include international students.

Scottish Government announce £20 million of additional funding for students impacted by COVID-19.

Scottish Government bring forward second vaccine doses for over-40s to help combat Delta variant.

Scottish Government announce £20 million for the second phase of the National Transition Training Fund.

Scottish Government announce £90,000 to support women involved in prostitution.

Scottish Government announce new restrictions on travel between Scotland and Manchester and Salford, coming into effect at midnight on 21 June. Restrictions that were in place on Bedford and the Republic of Ireland have been removed.

Key milestone

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces a new indicative date for the whole of Scotland to move to level 0 on 19 July, provided all necessary vaccination and harm reduction measures are met. A further indicative date of 9 August for the lifting of all major COVID-19 restrictions (subject to confirmation).

The Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee meets for the first time. Siobhian Brown MSP is elected convener and Murdo Fraser MSP is elected deputy convener.

The Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Bill is passed by the Scottish Parliament at Stage 3, with 90 votes in favour and 30 votes against. The Parliament agreed for the Bill to be treated as an Emergency Bill, with Stages 1-3 running on consecutive days from 22 June to 24 June. SPICe has published an extended blog providing an overview the Bill and it’s impact.

UK Government announce findings from a study in England, which show over a third of people who had coronavirus (COVID-19) reported symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks. The findings suggest the prevalence of ‘long COVID’ increases with age.

Scottish Government announce the opening of a self-registration portal for all over 18s.
 
Scottish Government announce £8 million funding package for health and social care workforce wellbeing.

Scottish Government announce Manchester, Salford and Bolton travel restrictions will be lifted on 30 June.
 
Scottish Government announce £1 million funding to support the return of live events at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe.

JCVI issues interim advice on COVID-19 booster vaccination – any potential COVID-19 booster programme should be offered in 2 stages from September, starting with those most at risk from serious disease.
 
Scottish Government announce social care Personal Assistants will receive £500 payment.

Scottish Government announce all mainland health boards will offer drop-in coronavirus vaccination clinics from Monday 5 July.

Scottish Government announce £380 million additional funding to help Health Boards with pandemic costs.

Scottish Government announce Test and Protect will prioritise high risk cases. SMS text messages will now be used more extensively for low risk index cases, with direct telephone calls continuing to be used for the most high risk cases.

Scottish Government announce the lifting of Blackburn travel restrictions.

Scottish Government announce the deployment of additional staff to bolster Test and Protect.

Key milestone

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces all of Scotland will move to protection level 0 on Monday 19 July. Physical distancing in will reduce to 1 metre in all indoor public settings and outdoors, and informal social gatherings of up to 15 people from 15 households will be permitted outdoors without physical distancing. Mandatory face coverings will remain in place. 

Scottish Government announce fully vaccinated travellers returning to Scotland from France will still be required to self-isolate from Monday 19 July.

Scottish Government announce the vaccination programme will complete first doses for all over 18s who have attended their scheduled appointments at close of play on Sunday 18 July. Second doses continue to be scheduled and it is expected all adults will have received them by Sunday 12 September.

Key milestone

Scotland moves to protection level 0

JCVI issues advice on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people – children at increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease should be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. That includes children aged 12 to 15 with severe neurodisabilities, Down’s syndrome, immunosuppression and multiple or severe learning disabilities.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce changes to self-isolation rules for close contacts of COVID-19 cases – essential staff in critical roles will be allowed to return to work to maintain lifeline services and critical national infrastructure.

Scottish Government announce additional £5 million for frontline services for women and girls affected by gender-based violence.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce fully vaccinated people from the EU and US will be able to travel to Scotland without quarantining from Monday 2 August.

Scottish Government announce £70 million investment in the Young Person’s Guarantee scheme.

Scottish Government announce £11.5 million funding to help reduce waiting times as part of NHS remobilisation efforts.

Scottish Government announce nine projects supporting carers and disabled people will share £1 million to tackle loneliness and isolation as a result of the pandemic.

Scottish Government  announce Children and young people aged 12-17 from key groups to be offered COVID-19 vaccine.

Key milestone

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces Scotland to move beyond level 0 on 9 August, when the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings will be removed. Some protective measures will stay in place such as the use of face coverings indoors and the collection of contact details as part of Test and Protect.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce all young people 16 to 17 years of age to be offered the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination in Scotland from 6 August.

Scottish Government announce two metre physical distancing will remain in place at health care settings across Scotland from 9 August when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted elsewhere in the country.

Professor Alison Strath is confirmed as the Scottish Government’s new Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO), while Professors Graham Ellis and Nicola Steedman are appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officers (DCMOs).

Scottish Government launches its consultation on Scotland’s recovery, which sets out a range of proposals, including whether some temporary provisions made under Scottish and UK coronavirus legislation and due to expire in March 2022 should be maintained.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in 12-17 year olds.

CMO urges pregnant women to get vaccinated.

UK Government launches UK-wide antibody surveillance programme for the general public for the first time. Home antibody tests available for up to 8,000 people a day across the UK who opt in to the service through NHS Test and Trace.

UK Government signs deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 35 million vaccines. The doses will be delivered from the second half of 2022.

Scottish Government launch £750,000 touring fund for live music.

Professor Amanda Croft, Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer, is standing down from her role. Cover will be provided by the Deputy Chief Nursing officers team until 4 October when Professor Alex McMahon, currently Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals for NHS Lothian, will take over on an interim basis.

Scottish Government invites views on the draft aims and principles of an independent public inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Scottish Government urge people who test positive for COVID-19 to securely list details of their close contacts online when asked by Test and Protect.

Scottish Government buys out hospital PFI car parks in Glasgow and Dundee. Negotiations are also progressing to take over the last remaining PFI car park in Scotland at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Parking charges have been suspended at the three hospital PFI facilities since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The agreements to take the car parks into public hands will mean this becomes permanent.

Scottish Government announce £14 million North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund. The funding will provide opportunities for more than 3,000 individuals in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through training and enterprise projects across a number of sectors, including entrepreneurship, tourism and energy transition.

Scottish Government publish the NHS Recovery Plan, setting out key actions for the next five years to help address backlogs in healthcare and increase capacity by at least 10%.

Scottish Government announce Canada and the Azores will be added to travel green list. The expanded list includes Denmark and Switzerland while Thailand goes red.

Scottish Government announce International travellers to Scotland will be permitted to use private sector COVID tests when returning, or visiting, from green or amber list countries. The changes are expected to come into effect in early September.

Scottish Government announce proposals for Coronavirus vaccination certificates as a requirement for entry to certain events and higher risk venues, such as nightclubs, music festivals and some football grounds. The proposals will be put to Parliament for a vote planned for the week beginning 6 September. In addition, QR Code digital vaccination certificates for international travel will be available from 3 September 2021.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) publish guidance advising that people who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second dose of the vaccine should be offered a third dose.

JCVI issue updated advice on COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 12 to 15: Health benefits from vaccination are marginally greater than the potential known harms. However, the margin of benefit is considered too small to support universal vaccination of healthy 12 to 15 year olds at this time.

Scottish Government publish Programme for Government 2021-22. The core priorities of the programme are ‘leading Scotland safely out of the pandemic, urgently confronting climate change, driving a green, fair economic recovery, and boosting opportunities for children and young people’.

Key milestone

Scottish Parliament approves vaccine certification plans. From Friday 1 October, Coronavirus vaccination certificates will be required to enter events such as nightclubs, music festivals and some football grounds.

Scottish Government launch £10 million Long COVID Support Fund to help health boards respond to the condition.

Scottish Government launch the Public Libraries COVID Recovery Fund to help libraries to re-open.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce children and young people aged 12 -15 years old will be offered a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Monday 20 September.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) publishes a regulatory update on the COVID-19 booster vaccine programme for winter 2021-22.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) publish guidance advising that booster vaccines be offered to those more at risk from serious disease, and who were vaccinated during Phase 1 of the vaccine programme.

UK Government announce Ronapreve will be rolled out to vulnerable hospital patients. Ronapreve becomes the first neutralising antibody medicine specifically designed to treat COVID-19 to be authorised by MHRA for use in the UK.

Scottish Government announce international travel restrictions will be relaxed and simplified. Green and amber classifications will merge, but the red list will be retained for those countries deemed to have high COVID19 case rates or variants of concern. The current traffic light system will end on 4 October.

Key milestone

Scottish Government launch the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme. Residents in care homes for older people are the first to be offered Covid-19 booster vaccinations. Injections will be given alongside flu jab where appropriate.

Scottish Government announce additional funding of £20 million for the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) to help improve response times, alleviate pressures and improve staff wellbeing.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce more than 10 million COVID-19 PCR tests have now been carried out in Scotland over the past 19 months since testing got underway.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce travellers from non-red list countries who have been fully vaccinated in a country that meets recognised standards of certifications will no longer be required to provide evidence of a negative test result before they can travel to Scotland, from 4 October.

Scottish Government launch a five-week consultation on introducing Anne’s Law – to ensure people who live in adult care homes have rights to be able to have direct contact with people who are important to them in order to support their health and wellbeing.

Scottish Government announce All 12-15 year olds who haven’t yet received their COVID-19 vaccination will receive letters of offer from Monday 27 September.

Scottish Government publish an updated 2021 vaccination strategy, including plans for COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (flu) vaccinations in autumn and winter 2021 to 2022 in Scotland.

Scottish Government announce Invitations for coronavirus (COVID-19) booster injections are issued to people aged 70 and over and those aged 16 and over who are at highest risk, with appointments scheduled from the week beginning 4 October.

Key milestone

The Scottish Government’s vaccination certification scheme is in operation from 1 October. People attending certain late night venues and larger indoor and outdoor live events will be required to show staff proof of their Covid status or a valid exemption.

The NHS Scotland Covid Status App is available for download from NHS Inform.

Scottish Government publish Coronavirus (COVID-19) education recovery: key actions and next steps.
 
Scottish Government publish Covid Recovery Strategy: for a fairer future.
 
Scottish Government announce £300 million NHS and Care Winter Package.

Scottish Government announce 47 countries will be taken off the international travel red list from 11 October. In addition, vaccine certificates from a further 37 countries will be recognised to allow quarantine-free travel to Scotland.
 
Scottish Government announce £1.6 million funding to help local authorities deliver services that can support people affected by psychological trauma and adversity.

Scottish Government announce NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders will receive military assistance from 19 October.
 
Scottish Government launch the £15 million Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

Scottish Government announce the Coronavirus vaccine certification scheme has become subject to enforcement. People attending a range of late night venues and larger indoor and outdoor live events, such as music festivals or large sporting events, will be required to show staff proof they are fully vaccinated or are otherwise exempt.

Scottish Government announce school mitigations will remain in place. Pupils will continue to be required to wear face coverings in secondary school classrooms as they begin to return from the October break.

Scottish Government launch NHS Scotland Academy, a collaboration between NHS Golden Jubilee and NHS Education for Scotland, backed by £9 million of investment.

Scottish Government publish the adult social care Winter Preparedness Plan 2021-22.

Invitations for the flu and COVID-19 Booster vaccination programmes begin for the next eligible groups. Invitation letters for people aged 60 to 69 and adults aged 16 and over with underlying health conditions are sent out from 25 October.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that from 4am on Sunday 31 October, people travelling to Scotland can take a lateral flow test – rather than a PCR test – on day two of their arrival. Travellers can book lateral flow tests from the list of providers on the gov.uk site from around 5pm on Friday 29 October.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the final seven countries are to be removed from the international travel red list from 1 November, meaning travellers to the UK from those destinations will no longer have to stay in hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival.

Scottish (and other UK) Covid status certificates are adopted into the European Union’s Digital Covid Certificate (EU DCC) scheme. From 1 November, Covid status certificates will be recognised by more than 40 countries. All EU DCC member countries will have their full certificates recognised and verifiable in Scotland.

Scottish Government announce £41 million Winter Support Fund for low income households.

Scottish Government announce £32 million for 139 additional trainee doctors.

Scottish Government announce the military will support the national Autumn/Winter vaccination programme.

Scottish Government announce an additional £10 million winter funding for NHS health boards to improve A&E waiting times.

Scottish Government issue new guidance for A&E departments, in response to a request from NHS Boards to support hospitals to refer people to the most appropriate place for treatment, if they do not need emergency care.

Key milestone

UK Government announce the first oral antiviral for COVID-19, Lagevrio (molnupiravir), has been approved by MHRA.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney announces that from Monday 22 November, vaccines from the World Health Organisation emergency use list (Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin) will be recognised as eligible vaccines for the purposes of international travel. Travellers vaccinated with these products will be eligible for quarantine-free travel into Scotland if they have a certificate of vaccination status from a country listed in the regulations.

In addition, all under-18s arriving from non-red list countries will be treated as eligible vaccinated travellers, meaning they will require a Day 2 test after arrival but no isolation or Day 8 test.

Scottish Government announce that people who took part in trials for COVID-19 vaccines which have not yet been authorised for use in the UK will be able to request an additional primary course of approved vaccinations.

Scottish Government announce hospitals in Scotland will be rolling out new three-in-one winter virus tests to identify whether patients are infected with Covid-19, flu or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

Key milestone

JCVI issues advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged 40 to 49 and second doses for 16 to 17 year olds. All adults aged 40 to 49 years should be offered an mRNA booster, 6 months after their second dose, irrespective of the vaccines given for the first and second doses. All 16 to 17 year olds who are not in an at-risk group should be offered a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The second vaccine dose should be given 12 weeks or more following the first vaccine dose.
 
Scottish Government launch an online portal for the Autumn/Winter vaccination programme. The portal allows people aged 50 to 59, unpaid carers who are 16 and over, and those aged 16 and over who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals to book their booster and flu jabs.

Key milestone

Scottish Government publish an update to Scotland’s Strategic Framework, setting out the latest approach to managing the pandemic.
 
The Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Scottish Government announce that from 6 December, people attending venues covered by Scotland’s COVID certification scheme are to be given the option of providing a recent negative lateral flow test for the virus, as an alternative to proof of vaccination.

Key milestone

More than one and a half million third doses and boosters administered by the Autumn/Winter vaccination programme.

Scottish Government announce new travel restrictions for arrivals from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana. All travellers returning to Scotland from these countries are now required to self-isolate and take two PCR tests, regardless of their vaccination status.

Scottish Government announce the online portal for booking COVID-19 booster appointments will open for people aged 40-49 years old.
 
Scottish Government imposes new travel restrictions as a result of the omicron variant – fully vaccinated arrivals will need to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and to self-isolate until a negative result is received. Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia are added to the travel red list.

Key milestone

First cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant are identified in Scotland.

JCVI issue advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15. The booster will now be given 3 months after the primary course. In addition, a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for young people aged 12 to 15 years is advised 12 weeks after the first dose.
  
Scottish Government announce £30 million funding for GP practices to help support more face-to-face appointments.

Scottish Government publish the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan, backed by £70 million funding, to support faster diagnosis of cancers and other illnesses of the digestive system, bladder and prostate.

Transparent face masks introduced to NHS Scotland

MHRA approves Xevudy (sotrovimab), a COVID-19 treatment found to cut hospitalisation and death by 79%. This monoclonal antibody – the second to be authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency – is for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe disease.
 
UK Government signs contracts to buy a total of 114 million additional Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna doses for 2022 and 2023.

Confirmation of community transmission of the Omicron variant in Scotland.

Scottish Government announce that From Tuesday 7 December, people arriving in Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area are required to provide a negative pre-departure test. Nigeria is added to the red list from Monday 6 December.

Scottish Government announce that from Monday 6 December, the domestic Covid certification scheme will include provision for a negative test for Covid-19, as an alternative to proof of vaccination.

Key milestone

One-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccination in Scotland. Since then, 4,355,063 first doses, 3,962,203 second doses and 1,922,604 boosters and third doses have been administered from around 1,200 locations.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon writes to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson regarding international vaccine inequity. The letter asks the UK Government to support a temporary waiver of obligations to protect Intellectual Property for COVID-19 vaccines.

An inquiry into the cause of increased excess deaths in Scotland since the start of the pandemic has been launched by the Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee. A call for views has been issued, closing on 7 January 2022.

Scottish Government publish the 2022-2023 Scottish Budget, aiming to restore public services and to respond to the pressures created by the pandemic.

Scottish Government publish an evidence paper on the rise of Omicron cases and new advice to reduce the spread of the virus. From Saturday 11 December, all household contacts of any confirmed coronavirus case must isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status – even if they initially get a negative PCR test. People are also being urged to defer work Christmas parties to slow the spread of the virus.

Key milestone

UK Government announce the UK coronavirus (COVID-19) alert level will be increased from Level 3 to Level 4.

Scottish Government announce all 30-39 year olds will be able to book their appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine booster from Monday 13 December.

Scottish Government announce financial support for adult care providers who incur additional costs if employees are vaccinated in working time.

Scottish Government announce the appointment of Professor Alex McMahon as Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance on reducing social interaction at home or in indoor public places to a maximum of three households at any time, with everyone encouraged to take a lateral flow test before meeting.
 
Scottish Government announce 11 countries are to be removed from the international travel red list as Omicron cases increase globally. Pre-departure tests and PCR testing measures on or before day 2 on arrival in Scotland will remain in place.
 
Scottish Government announce the chair and terms of reference for the public inquiry into the handling of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland. The Hon. Lady Poole QC, Senator of the College of Justice of Scotland, will chair the inquiry.
 
Scottish Government announce steps to accelerate booster programme. The online booking portal will be open to everyone aged 18-29 from 15 December and the waiting period following vaccination will be reduced from 15 minutes to five minutes.
 
Scottish Government publish Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Level statistics. The statistics show reductions in the proportions of primary school pupils achieving the expected CfR levels in literacy and numeracy over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic period, between 2018/19 and 2020/21.

UK Government announce the Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett DBE has been appointed as Chair of the forthcoming UK-wide public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Scottish Government announce the number of military staff assisting with the autumn/winter vaccination programme has been increased to support the acceleration of the booster roll-out.
 
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes writes a letter to the Treasury requesting further financial support to deal with the impact of the Omicron variant.

Key milestone

First UK patients given take-at-home pill. Molnupiravir will be tested on 10,000 people at risk of serious illness in research led by University of Oxford.
 
Scottish Government publish new guidance for businesses. From Friday 17 December 2021, businesses will be legally required to take reasonable measures to minimise transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Scottish Government announce the breakdown of a £100 million financial package to support businesses experiencing cancellations due to the spread of the new Omicron variant.
 
Scottish Government publish updated guidance to reduce the risks of Covid-19 in schools, ELC services, school age childcare services and childminder services. Safety mitigations that were already in place must continue to be strictly followed and some measures that were previously relaxed are being reintroduced.
 
Scottish Government publish updated guidance on visiting care homes and hospitals. Adult care homes and hospitals should continue to support visits for residents and patients, however new recommendations set out that visits should be in line with the rules for the general public brought in to control the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
 
Scottish Government announce funding of £25 million to support community projects and local economies. The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund will support 22 locally developed place-based projects that tackle inequalities and promote sustainable and inclusive economic recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
 
Scottish Government publish a letter from the Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training on measures to reduce transmission of Omicron variant in the college and university sectors.

Scottish Government publish the December update of the autumn/winter vaccination strategy 2021, which includes a progress report and accelerated delivery plans in response to the Omicron Variant.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce one metre physical distancing to return in indoor hospitality and leisure settings from 27 December. Attendance at large events will be limited (100 people for indoor standing events, to 200 for indoor seated events, and to 500 for all outdoor events) from 26 December.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issues updated guidance on vaccinations for 5 to 11 year olds, recommending that those who are in a clinical risk group or are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed, should be offered a primary course of vaccination. In addition, booster vaccinations are recommended for 16-17 year olds and 12-15 year olds that are in a clinical risk group or severely immunocompromised and have had a third primary dose.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves a new formulation of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) for use in children aged 5 to 11 years.

Key milestone

More than 70% of eligible adults in Scotland have received their booster or third dose.

Scottish Government announce nightclubs are to close from 27 December, subject to a review after three weeks.

Scottish Government announce the breakdown of £107 million support package for businesses impacted by the spread of the Omicron variant.
 
Scottish Government announce that priority for PCR test site slots will be given to essential workers, those at highest risk and anyone eligible for new Covid treatments. A self-isolation exemption scheme is also available for essential workers.

Scottish Government brings forward second doses for young people. Following JCVI advice, 12-15 year olds can get their second vaccination from 12 weeks after their first dose.

Scottish Government publish details of the allocation of the Healthy Islands Fund, aiming to promote healthy and resilient island communities.
 
Scottish Government advise all secondary pupils to take at-home COVID-19 tests before they return to school to limit the spread of Omicron.

Scottish Government announce details a financial package worth £65 million for culture and major events.

Scottish Government announce changes to self-isolation and testing. From 6 January, new cases can end self-isolation if they don’t have a fever and test negative on a LFD on Day 6 and again at least 24 hours later. Anyone who tests positive on a LFD will no longer be asked to take a PCR test to confirm the result.

From 6 January, people travelling to Scotland from abroad who are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18 will no longer need to take pre-departure Covid tests, and will also no longer be required to self-isolate on arrival until they’ve received a negative result.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advise there is no immediate need to introduce a second booster dose, or fourth jab, to the most vulnerable. The JCVI also advise that priority should continue to be given to rolling out first booster doses to all age groups.

New report published from the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the effectiveness of 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccines against symptomatic COVID-19 and hospitalisation in adults aged 65 years and older.

Chief Medical Officer writes to health boards on the temporary deferral of fertility treatment for patients not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Scottish Government announce large outdoor events can resume without physical distancing or capacity limits from 00:01 on Monday 17 January.

Joint statement issued from the finance Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, calling on the Treasury to guarantee that money allocated to support COVID-19 responses will be provided in full.

Key milestone

Number of people in Scotland who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid passes 10,000.
 
Scottish Government announce the expansion of NHS 24 with a new call centre opening in Dundee.

Scottish Government announce children aged five to 11 years old with specific medical conditions will start receiving invitations for their first Covid-19 vaccination.
 
Scottish Government announce restrictions including one metre physical distancing in hospitality and leisure settings, table service in hospitality venues and attendance limits at indoor events will be removed from Monday 24 January. Non-professional indoor contact sports will also resume.

Scottish Government issue new guidance for care home operators, reducing and removing isolation periods for care home residents.

The Scottish Government’s voluntary ‘Distance Aware’ scheme is launched, which offers badges and lanyards to people who wish to show others they would welcome additional space and extra care while out in public.

Fully vaccinated arrivals into Scotland will no longer be required to possess a negative test result from 4am on 11 February. Non-vaccinated arrivals will still be required to take pre-departure tests and a PCR test on or before day two – but the requirement for isolation will end – and they will no longer have to take a day eight test.

Scottish Government announce that from Monday 31 January businesses can resume hybrid working arrangements.

Key milestone

The Scottish Government’s monthly GDP estimates for November 2021 show Scotland’s economy to be 0.6% higher than in February 2020, before the main economic impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) began to be felt. This is the first time Scotland’s GDP has been recorded as higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Key milestone

UK Government announce the UK’s second ground-breaking antiviral (PF-07321332+ritonavir) will be made available to those with weakened immune systems from Thursday 10 February.

Scottish Government announce adults aged 18-59 who have not yet had their booster jab will start to receive blue envelopes from 1 February with scheduled appointments.

Scottish Government confirms its ‘firm intention’ to hold National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams in Spring.

Scottish Government announce a new £1 million fund to support projects which look after the wellbeing of staff working in social care.

Key milestone

UK Government announce the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine Nuvaxovid has been approved by MHRA.

Scottish Government announce £2 million to support outdoor education centres.

Scottish Government announce a six month extension to some temporary provisions made under UK legislation.
 
Scottish Parliament launch a call for views on the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce more than 15 million COVID-19 PCR tests have now been carried out in Scotland since testing began.

Scottish Government announce flu vaccinations are on offer again until the end of March for those in high risk groups (the programme was paused in December so that health boards could prioritise the delivery of COVID-19 booster jabs).

Scottish Government announce the extension of the expiry date for statutory coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions and requirements to 24 September 2022. The restrictions will remain subject to review every three weeks.

The Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill is unanimously passed in the Scottish Parliament.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce high school pupils and staff will not be required to wear face coverings in classrooms from 28 February 2022. Mitigations relating to assemblies and transition visits for learners who will start primary or secondary in August 2022 will also be eased.

JCVI updates advice on vaccinations for 5 to 11 age group. The committee recommends a non-urgent offer to all 5 to 11 year olds of 2 (10mcg) doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech paediatric vaccine. The 2 doses should be given with an interval of at least 12 weeks between doses.

The Scottish Government launch a call for proposals to inform the work of the newly created Covid-19 Learning and Evaluation Oversight Group.

Scottish Government announce second booster jabs will be offered to those aged 75 and over, residents in care homes and immunosuppressed individuals aged 12and over. The people will be invited as they become eligible from at least 24 weeks after their last booster.

Key milestone

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces vaccine certification will no longer be legally required from Monday 28 February. Current legal requirements on the use of face coverings and the collection of customer details for contact tracing purposes are expected to be lifted on 21 March.

Scotland’s updated Strategic Framework is published.

Scottish Government announce children aged 5-11 to be offered COVID-19 vaccination appointments in community clinics from 19 March 2022.

Scottish Government publish updated guidance for the use of face coverings in schools. Mitigations relating to assemblies and transition visits for learners who will start primary or secondary in August 2022 are eased from 28 February.

Scottish Government announce women who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to resume NHS fertility treatment, following an updated review.

Scottish Government announce spring booster jabs will be offered to those aged 75 and over and people at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease from Monday 7 March.

Scottish Government announce patients with COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to contact their GP instead of NHS 24 from the end of March.

Scottish Government  announce all international travel restrictions for people coming to Scotland are to end from 4am on Friday 18 March.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce legal requirements to wear face coverings on public transport and most indoor public settings will continue until at least early April. The remaining legal requirements for businesses and service providers will end on Monday 21 March.

The Scottish Government’s Test & Protect transition plan is published. People without COVID-19 symptoms will no longer be asked to take regular lateral flow tests from 18 April. From this date, free lateral flow devices (LFDs) will no longer be available except for any purpose for which testing continues to be advised. People with symptoms should continue to isolate and get a PCR test until the end of April.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approve the use of Evusheld (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) for use on adults who are unlikely to mount an immune response from COVID-19 vaccination or for whom vaccination is not recommended.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the legal requirement to wear a face covering on public transport and most indoor public settings will end on 18 April. Requirements for face coverings at weddings, funerals and places of worship will end on 4 April.

In addition, from 18 April most people without symptoms will not be required to take tests. Lateral flow devices for twice weekly testing will no longer be available. PCR tests for people with COVID-19 symptoms will be available until 30 April, when test sites will close.

Scottish Government publish the City Centre Recovery Task Force report, which looks at impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on city centres.

Professor Andrew Morris is appointed as Chair of the Scottish Government’s Standing Committee on Pandemic Preparedness (SCoPP), which will advise on future pandemic risks. The terms of reference for the Standing Committee are also published. 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the use of the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce the shielding list will end on 31 May. The Chief Medical Officer will write to individuals on the list to advise them of the change and the sign post them to ongoing support.

Key milestone

Scottish Government announce public health advice will change to a ‘stay at home’ message from 1 May All contact tracing will end. Testing for the general population will end on 30 April, with test sites closing. Testing will remain available to certain groups. NHS Scotland will be taken out of emergency footing at the end of 30 April.

The COVID-19 Recovery Committee says it is still too early to know the exact impact the pandemic has had in terms of excess deaths in Scotland in a letter written to the Scottish Government.

MSPs vote to support the general principles of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.

Scottish Government announces the allocation of an initial tranche of £3 million from the long COVID Support Fund to projects to improve the care and support available for people with long COVID.

Scottish Government publishes a literature review on barriers and incentives to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issues interim advice on an autumn COVID-19 booster programme.

Public launch of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry website. The website provides information about the Inquiry’s processes.

Scottish Government publishes refreshed Open with Care guidelines which say that people in care homes should be able to see their friends and family without restrictions, including during COVID-19 and other infectious outbreaks.

Scottish Government issues a joint statement with the Welsh Government urging the UK Government to back a temporary waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, to help expand equitable global access to safe and effective vaccines.

Scottish Government publishes past communications sent to people in the highest risk group (previously the shielding list).

The UK Government announces that core functions of the Vaccine Taskforce will merge with UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Life Sciences in the autumn.

Audit Scotland publishes a report evaluating Scotland’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Government urges people in eligible groups to come forward for their spring booster before the end of June.

The Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Bill is passed in the Scottish Parliament.

The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill is passed in the Scottish Parliament.

The COVID-19 Recovery Committee launches a call for views for its inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on labour market inactivity and the prospects for recovery in the short, medium and long-term.

A further booster vaccination will be offered from September to those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease including: older adult care home residents and staff; frontline health and social care workers, all adults aged 50 and over, those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women, household contacts of people with immunosuppression, and carers aged 16-49 years.

The UK Government sets out the membership and terms of reference for the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration launches a survey to collate information on commemoration activities across the UK.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration meets for the first time.

The Scottish Government publishes research looking at why some people chose to take up the Covid-19 and flu vaccinations and some did not.
 
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care updates the Scottish Parliament on the progress of the spring/summer COVID-19 booster programme

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the use of an adapted Moderna vaccine for adult booster doses in the UK. The first bivalent COVID-19 vaccine targets both the original virus strain from 2020 and the Omicron strain.

The JCVI updates its published advice to include an additional bivalent vaccine now approved by the MHRA. 

Scotland’s winter vaccine programme gets underway. Both new bivalent vaccines will be deployed alongside existing vaccines.

Social care staff and visitors are no longer being advised to wear facemasks at all times under new Scottish Government guidance. 

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration announces that held its second meeting on 6 September. The Commission is keen for organisations and members of the public to complete the local Covid Commemoration survey.

The Scottish Government announces that health and social care workers will no longer be required to test for COVID-19 every week as asymptomatic testing is paused by 28 September. 

UKHSA urges everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster to take up the offer as soon as possible ahead of what could be a difficult winter with respiratory viruses circulating widely. 

The Scottish Government announces that Lady Poole is to step down as Chair of the Independent Scottish COVID-19 Public Inquiry.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration met again to discuss the options for recognition and marking this period of our history.

More than 1.3 million COVID-19 and flu vaccines have been delivered since the winter vaccine programme launched in September, the Scottish Government announces.

Scots aged 50-64 can book an appointment on the NHS Inform website for their winter COVID-19 and flu vaccines. 
 

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration launches a consultation to give people across the UK the opportunity to say how they think the pandemic should be remembered. 

The Scottish Government announces that Lord Brailsford will be the new Chair of the Independent Scottish COVID-19 Public Inquiry. 

The Scottish Government publishes research about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on a selection of faith communities in Scotland, and their thoughts about the future.  
 

A second Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine is approved by the MHRA.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration met for the fourth time and shared their thoughts and reflections from the series of stakeholder events. 

The Scottish Government publishes findings from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey on Attitudes to Scotland’s Handling of the Pandemic.

The Scottish Government announces that Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has been awarded £157,000 to continue offering the long COVID support advice line. 

The MHRA has authorised the use of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) in infants and children aged 6 months to 4 years. 

The Scottish Government announces that more than 14.9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccination have been administered in Scotland since the first jab was given exactly two years ago. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf thanks staff for their “incredible efforts”.

The Scottish Government announces that the Self-Isolation Support Grant scheme will close to new applicants on 5 January 2023.

The Scottish Government urges those eligible for the free COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to get their jabs as winter sets in and hospitalisations increase.

Key milestone

The World Health Organization declares that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

The Scottish Government confirms that the ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): Extended use of face masks and face coverings guidance’ will be withdrawn on 16 May 2023 across health and social care settings.