Greens: Elimination will require more to test and isolate
Scotland must do more to step up testing and support people to self-isolate if we are to eliminate COVID-19, the Scottish Greens have warned.
At Holyrood’s COVID committee, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her objective was to “eliminate” COVID-19 in Scotland.
Responding, Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who sits on the committee said: “It is welcome that the First Minister has moved away from talking about suppression of the virus and is now talking about eliminating it. The Scottish Greens support an elimination strategy, as pursued by countries like New Zealand, but to get there we need to see more ambition on testing and support to self isolate.
“The First Minister says there is a limited budget for self-isolation support, but we’ve made the case that practical support can be just as important as financial support when people face barriers to self isolation, a crucial part of the track and trace system.
“And when restrictions are gradually lifted, workplaces will need the support of a robust testing regime so the virus won’t spread.”