Scottish Greens renew call for mass testing
The Scottish Greens have renewed their calls for the Scottish Government to introduce mass testing in Scotland to step up the fight against COVID-19.
Scottish Greens Health Spokesperson Alison Johnstone wrote to the First Minister in September outlining a five-point plan to ramp up testing across the country. Now, in response to the First Minister’s comments today that new restrictions may be on the way, the Greens say it’s vital that the government urgently improves its testing regime.
Alison Johnstone MSP said:
“The Scottish Greens have been consistent throughout this crisis that a robust testing regime must form the basis of Scotland’s response to the virus.
“Now, with cases rising rapidly and the privatised UK testing system failing to keep up, the case for mass testing is stronger than ever. The more information we have about who has the virus and where it is spreading the better we can tackle it.
“The First Minister has hinted that new restrictions are on the way, with much talk of a “short, sharp” lockdown at the latest government briefing. It’s vital that ministers use any time that new restrictions buy them to ramp up testing and bring this virus under control.”