Purpose and scope

This guidance aims to provide a clear, concise, and accessible overview of the public health measures that should be taken to prevent and manage COVID-19 in the settings described below.

Most of the information in this guidance is relevant for all listed settings. Where no specific setting is noted, the guidance is applicable to all settings. For example, sometimes there is specific information provided for older adult care home. This is explicitly listed throughout. 

Most settings are considered 'lower risk' as there is relatively lower risk of direct health harm arising from infection. However, some settings may be considered as 'higher risk' due to the vulnerable population or the configuration of the setting itself. Care homes for the elderly, prisons or other closed settings are considered as higher-risk settings.

The outbreak management section has more information on higher and lower-risk settings.

Settings covered

Settings covered by this guidance include:

  • situations where care is provided to individuals in their own home
  • adult social care building-based day services
  • community-based settings for people:
    • with mental health needs
    • with a learning disability
    • who misuse substances
  • rehabilitation services
  • residential children’s homes – whether registered as care homes or not
  • secure accommodation services for children and young people
  • residential settings for adults – including respite services for adults
  • residential respite/short breaks services for children
  • care home services, registered with the care inspectorate – now including older adult care homes
  • services helping those experiencing homelessness
  • sheltered housing
  • supported accommodation settings

'Service user' is used throughout this guidance as a generic term to denote a service user, resident or patient associated with any of the settings covered within this document. Where guidance is specific to a care home setting, the term 'resident' is used for those living there.

Prisons are no longer covered in this PHS COVID-19: information and guidance for social, community, and residential care settings guidance  but in a dedicated prison resource; please see COVID-19 guidance for prison settings.

Using this guidance

The guidance supports, but does not replace:

  • individual expert clinical judgment
  • local response arrangements

The guidance supports maintenance of agreed health protection principles and national policy in line with the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 including:

  • exercising functions to encourage equal opportunities
  • observance of equal opportunities requirements

Employers should consider specific conditions of each place of work and follow the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and other appropriate legislation.

The guidance should be read alongside:

A COVID-19 care home outbreak checklist is available. It is a supplementary resource for those working in care home settings during an outbreak of COVID-19 infection.

Health protection team contacts

Health Protection Teams in each health board area are the primary team supporting the control of outbreaks in community settings. Local services have access to their local HPT for such operational advice. Public Health Scotland, at national level, does not provide this.

Access up-to-date contact information for local HPTs.

Developing this guidance

This is a Public Health Scotland publication.

The guidance has been developed by PHS in collaboration with various stakeholders, including Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland.

Introduction

The disease COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, also known as SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus.

The first cases of COVID-19 in the UK were detected on 31 January 2020.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on 12 March 2020. COVID-19's status as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) was removed in May 2023.

Transmission

SARS-CoV-2 is spread by respiratory particles. This occurs mainly through close contact with infectious individuals.

Transmission risk increases when:

  • people are close to each other (usually within 2 metres)
  • people are displaying symptoms
  • in indoor, poorly ventilated environments that are not regularly cleaned

There is limited evidence of long-range aerosol transmission. Further research is needed to better understand aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive on surfaces from a few hours to days.

The amount of virus on surfaces is not always enough to cause infection.

SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted even if the infected person does not have symptoms. This is called asymptomatic transmission.

Infectious and incubation periods

Studies show that the highest risk of transmission occurs a few days before and within the first 5 days after symptom onset but can be up to 10 days after symptom onset.

The average incubation period is between 3 and 6 days, with a range from 1 to 14 days.

COVID-19 symptoms

The cardinal symptoms, as outlined by NHS inform, are:

  • new, continuous cough
  • fever
  • change in or absence of sense of smell or taste

Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary in severity.

Some people have:

  • headaches
  • sore throats
  • diarrhoea
  • general weakness
  • fatigue
  • muscular pain
  • pneumonia
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome and other complications

Mortality is an unfortunate potential outcome in those with severe disease.

Atypical symptoms

Atypical symptoms of COVID-19 are more likely to present in:

  • older adults
  • very young people
  • people with underlying health conditions
  • immunocompromised individuals

These atypical symptoms can include: 

  • increased confusion
  • reduced appetite
  • vomiting and diarrhoea
  • headache
  • shortness of breath
  • falls
  • dehydration
  • delirium
  • excessive sleepiness
  • difficulty in breathing

Recovery

Most people recover quickly, usually starting to feel better in a few days. Some people take longer and symptoms can affect the whole body.

SIGN has produced a booklet for anyone with ongoing signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

NHS inform provides a variety of useful information on long-term effects.  

General prevention measures

This section outlines a range of measures that are recommended to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Each setting is strongly advised to continue to follow and regularly review the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures to minimise transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other infections.

Advice on enhanced COVID-19 infection and prevention control (IPC) measures for health and care settings is available in the NIPCM appendix 16: Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care.

Care homes can also obtain IPC advice in the Infection Prevention and Control Manual for older people and adult care homes which is not specific to COVID-19.

Additional measures may need to be introduced when there are localised clusters or outbreaks. The HPT or incident management team (IMT) will advise in these instances.

Refer to NHS inform for general advice on COVID-19.

Vaccination

Evidence for vaccination across adult age groups shows protection against:

  • symptomatic disease
  • hospitalisation due to severe illness and mortality

Vaccination also plays a role in reducing transmission.

View a summary of the most recent data on real-world effectiveness, schedule and other relevant information in the Green Book, chapter 14a (COVID-19).

Vaccination recommendations

COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters offer the best protection against the virus. Where possible, staff and service users should be assessed for vaccine status and offered COVID-19 (and other) vaccinations at the earliest opportunity.

The Joint Committee for Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) provides details on the groups that are to be prioritised for vaccination.

Refer to The Green Book, chapter 14a (COVID-19) for the most up to date advice.

Find more information about vaccination boosters on NHS inform.

Services should aim to vaccinate service users before admission to a residential setting, or as soon as feasible after admission. Sometimes vaccination may not be possible if there is a sudden need for admission or due to medical exemption.

Vaccination should not delay admission.

Vaccination of staff and service users, particularly in care homes, has altered the COVID-19 mitigation measures, making these less restrictive – for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. When vaccination uptake rates are not satisfactory, this presents a potential risk to everyone in the setting.​

Pregnancy

Vaccination is strongly recommended, including of those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, where the safety profile for COVID-19 vaccination remains good. 

Additional resources

Additional sources of information for the COVID-19 vaccination are available.

Public Health Scotland

We provide materials to:

Workforce education materials

Access these on the Turas Learn site.

Public information

NHS inform provide information about:

  • the vaccine
  • invitations and appointments
  • after the vaccine
  • leaflets and other languages and accessible formats

View the resources on NHS inform.

Advice for cases

Those with symptoms or confirmed COVID-19 should:

  • follow the NHS inform stay-at-home guidance – stay at home and avoid contact with other people until fever has resolved for 48 hours (without medication) and they no longer feel unwell
  • inform other household members or people they have had contact within the previous 48 hours that they are symptomatic or have tested positive

This ensures that contacts are vigilant of respiratory symptoms that may develop.

Routine identification of contacts of COVID-19 cases is no longer undertaken nor indicated.

The transmission risk for any respiratory illness, including COVID-19, increases with length of exposure and proximity to the infected individual.

The risk is also greater in indoor, crowded settings compared to outdoor activities or well-ventilated indoor environments.

Individuals at the highest risk of infection are those who have spent significant time with a case, such as household members and overnight contacts.

Physical distancing

Physical distancing is no longer required for staff, service users or visitors. Some health and social care services may choose to continue with physical distancing measures, in particular if there is a risk of overcrowding.

See the NIPCM Appendix 16 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care for more information on physical distancing in specific circumstances.

For residential settings, those who are isolating should keep a 2-metre distance from other service users and staff, where possible.

The HPT or IMT may recommend a temporary reintroduction of physical distancing as a control measure during an outbreak.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and face coverings

PPE is used to provide the wearer with protection against risks associated with the care tasks they are doing. All staff undertaking a procedure should assess any likely exposure to blood or bodily fluids and ensure PPE that provides adequate protection is worn.

Staff within health and care settings should continue to apply standard infection control precautions (SICPs) at all times to minimise transmission of infectious organisms.

Additionally, transmission-based precautions (TBPs) – in other words, enhanced precautions – should continue to be applied when caring for individuals who have suspected or known infection or colonisation.

The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the care home infection prevention and control manual (CH IPCM) provide more details on TBPs to be applied depending on the route of infection.

A poster from the NIPCM describes the safe methods for donning and doffing PPE.

Staff should undergo regular PPE training.

Face masks and face coverings

There is a difference between face masks and face coverings.

Face mask - definition

The use of the term 'face mask' means surgical or other medical grade masks.

For example, fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSM) used in certain health and social care situations.

Face covering - definition

The use of the term 'face covering' means something that is made from cloth or other textiles that covers the mouth and nose, and through which you can breathe.

For example, a scarf.

Face mask use

Continuous use of face masks in social care settings, including care homes, is no longer required nor advised routinely. This is due to the effective combination of natural and vaccine immunity in protecting populations at this stage of the pandemic and the risks that covering the face can present to social interaction, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

The Scottish Government extended use of face masks and face coverings guidance in healthcare and social care settings has been withdrawn (DL [2023] 11). Health and care settings are advised to follow the IPC guidance on the appropriate use of PPE for SICPs and TBPs precautions as detailed in the NIPCM:

Local HPTs can support complex risk assessment, if needed.

If a staff member or resident cannot tolerate a face covering or a face mask when this is indicated, a local risk assessment must be completed and other mitigations considered, such as change in work role.

Hand, respiratory and environmental hygiene

Follow hand and respiratory hygiene advice in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM).

Ensure that workplaces and work areas are cleaned regularly.

Follow the advice on safe management of the care environment in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM).

Further advice is available on NHS inform's COVID-19 general advice pages.

Ventilation

Good ventilation in indoor spaces can reduce the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections.

Maximise fresh air entering a room through:

  • natural ventilation – opening windows, vents and doors (excluding fire doors)
  • mechanical ventilation systems – minimising the recirculation of air in rooms and throughout buildings.

The UKHSA COVID-19 ventilation of indoor spaces guidance advises to keep room temperature to at least 18ºC as temperatures below this can affect health.

This is especially applicable to those who:

  • are 65 years or older
  • have a long-term health condition

Find out practical steps on improving ventilation in the HSE ventilation in the workplace guidance.

Using fans in residential care settings and care homes

The below advice is not directly applicable for individuals receiving care in their own home but may be used to inform good practice if fan use is required.

A fan may be used in a service user's own private room if they are feeling too warm after turning off the heating and opening windows.

The fan must be:

  • clean
  • directed away from the door
  • well maintained

Fans in communal areas of the residential setting – outside the service user’s private room – should only be used following a risk assessment and during very warm weather.

Staff should turn off the heating and open windows and doors (if possible) to reduce the temperature before using a fan.

Using fans should be an exception and not routine.

Use of fans during an outbreak

Private rooms

Fans are permitted in the private room of a service user who is symptomatic or COVID-19 diagnosed, using the above guidance.

The window should remain open when in use.

Communal areas

Fan use is not advised in communal areas if a setting has:

  • COVID-19 cases
  • an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 or any other infectious pathogen

If extra temperature control measures are needed, the service manager can complete a risk assessment with support from their local HPT.

If the risk assessment results in use of fans, it is essential that fans are:

  • cleaned regularly (including the blades)
  • not pointed directly at service users

Advice for people at highest risk

Some individuals are at higher risk of severe illness if they are infected with SARS-CoV-2, even when fully vaccinated.

This includes those with a weakened immune system.

View the Scottish Government COVID-19 advice for people who are immunosuppressed.

Scottish Government ended the highest-risk list of individuals in Scotland on 31 May 2022.

Pregnancy

View further information on COVID-19 and pregnancy on:

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended in pregnancy.

Providing care for service users

Advice varies between settings in some parts of this section.

Staff should remain vigilant to service users developing any respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms.

Older adults may have atypical symptoms.

If a service user is unwell

Seek advice on NHS inform.

If they need clinical assessment

Contact the GP (or NHS healthcare team in certain settings).

Call NHS 111 by telephone or online for more urgent matters or if the GP practice is closed.

If they need urgent ambulance or hospital care

Call 999.

Tell the call handler that the unwell person may have COVID-19.

Service users who have had contact with a COVID-19 case

Contact tracing is no longer indicated routinely.

Service users should be aware of respiratory symptoms and notify staff if these develop.

Where appropriate, management can inform service users in residential settings when a new case of COVID-19 has been identified in their area. This is to promote symptom awareness and provide advice for other service users.

Service users who are symptomatic

Symptomatic or COVID-19 diagnosed service users should self-isolate immediately and follow the stay at home advice on NHS inform.

It explains:

  • when to stay at home
  • how to reduce risk of onward transmission to other people
  • how to protect people at higher risk of harm from COVID-19 infection.

Some service users may also be eligible for specific COVID-19 treatments.

Find out more about COVID-19 treatments on NHS inform.

Service managers should check there is no one else with symptoms and that all standard infection control precautions as outlined in CH IPCM are in place.

Older adult care home residents who are symptomatic or have a positive COVID-19 test

The general advice to self-isolate should be followed by symptomatic residents in older adult care homes when they have:

Immediate self-isolation should be arranged in the first instance according to NHS inform stay-at-home guidance.

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 and/or other viruses should be considered. This can be discussed with the local Health Protection Team, in particular if two or more symptomatic cases arise within 14 days of each other.

Medical advice should be sought if clinically indicated. A healthcare professional can also request testing to confirm a clinical diagnosis.

Find out more information on managing self-isolation in care homes or other social care settings.

Once an outbreak has been declared in a care home, further testing of residents will only be needed for individual clinical purposes. See the outbreak management section for more information on testing during an outbreak and advised periods of isolation. 

Testing

Testing of residents without symptoms, even if they are thought to have been a contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 is no longer advised and can lead to unnecessary restrictions – see testing recommendations for service users.

When a resident is symptomatic and COVID-19 PCR negative (if tested)

If an older adult care home resident is symptomatic and their COVID-19 PCR is negative, then consideration should be given to:

  • testing for different organisms, for example, flu (in particular if there is more than one case)
  • further clinical assessment of the symptoms, if they remain unwell
  • repeat testing in case this is a false negative result (for example, the test being taken too early after symptom onset)

Residents who are symptomatic may be able to be released with a negative result, before their self-isolation period ends if:

  • they are well and have no fever for 48 hours, without using medication (such as paracetamol)
  • they are not completing a period of self-isolation following hospital discharge

If respiratory symptoms in several residents lead to suspicion of an outbreak and COVID-19 testing is negative, other organisms will need to be considered and tested for.

Such instances should be discussed with the local HPT.

The local HPT can discuss this with their local laboratory service and provide advice.

Care at home and supported housing setting service users who are symptomatic or have a positive COVID-19 test (if tested)

All symptomatic or COVID-19 diagnosed service users should follow the NHS inform stay-at-home guidance.

Testing is not generally indicated unless there is clinical concern and a diagnosis is needed to support further clinical management.

They should self-isolate immediately until they are:

  • absent from fever, without the use of medication (such as paracetamol)
  • no longer feeling unwell

Cough and loss of, or change in, taste and smell may persist for several weeks and is not an indication of ongoing infectiousness when other symptoms have resolved. However, cough and fever can be symptoms of other infectious and non-infectious conditions. These may require GP investigation if they do not improve.

Service users living in shared housing should follow NHS inform stay-at-home guidance.

Care at home and supported housing workers should report possible or confirmed cases of any respiratory illness amongst service users to their managers.

Providers should work with community partners and the person receiving care to review and assess the impact on their care needs.

Care should not be discontinued if a service user has tested positive for COVID-19. For information on PPE use and additional IPC measures - see the NIPCM Appendix 16 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care.

A risk assessment to minimise the risk of onward transmission should be carried out by the service manager.

Contact the HPT if needed.

Symptomatic household members of service user

Symptomatic household members of a service user should be encouraged to remain in a separate area of the service user's home whilst isolating, according to NHS inform stay-at-home guidance.

This is to reduce the risk of transmission to staff and household members.

Open windows to increase ventilation and reduce the risk of transmission.

Sometimes it may be inappropriate for household members to leave the service user.

For example, due to:

  • distress of the service-user
  • issues of personal safety

Managing self-isolation in care homes or other residential settings

Service users who are self-isolating are advised to:

  • remain in their single room with en-suite facilities where possible
  • keep their room door closed
  • avoid using shared spaces within the facility where possible

The Scottish Government COVID-19: living with dementia in care homes guidance provides information on supporting people to remain safe especially those who may find self-isolation difficult.

Staff cohorting, where specific staff are assigned to self-isolating residents can be considered.

Arrange dedicated toilet facilities or a commode if en-suite accommodation is not available. Decontaminate these immediately after use.

Symptomatic or confirmed COVID-19 service users should have their own personal toiletries.

Consider a rota for showering and bathing, placing the symptomatic service user last.

Find out more information in chapter 1 section 6 of the care home infection prevention and control manual (CH IPCM) on management of the care environment and care equipment.

Communication with key relatives (and other regular visitors, when relevant) should be in place to inform them of changes in management of their loved ones. This includes when visiting arrangements are altered.

Managing self-isolation as households

Some residential care settings are managed as households with varying levels of support.

This includes supported housing services.

If complete self-isolation is unmanageable, advice can be sought from the local HPT.

Placing a service user in an unsupervised or isolated area may not be in their best interests in some circumstances.

This may be due to:

  • distress
  • vulnerability
  • safety concerns

Seek advice from the local HPT on the management of individuals with special requirements if needed.

For example:

  • children
  • individuals with:
    • mental health conditions
    • dementia
    • certain physical or learning disabilities

Providing meals

Provide meals for the individual to eat within their room for the period of self-isolation.

Communal spaces can be used if risk assessed to be the most appropriate arrangement, especially in household-type services.

Providing care

Carry out all necessary care within the service user’s room, where possible.

Accessing outdoor space during self-isolation

Service users can take daily exercise outdoors during their self-isolation if staff can assist with this.

This needs a local risk assessment by staff to ensure appropriate infection control precautions are in place.

While self-isolating, service users should:

  • not leave the grounds of the setting
  • minimise contact with other service users and staff as far as possible
  • wear a FRSM during this activity – if service user cannot wear a FRSM, a risk assessment should take this into account

This advice also applies during an outbreak where staffing capacity allows.

Transferring to hospital during self-isolation

Service users may need to go to hospital during their self-isolation period.

Staff must inform the ambulance service and ward staff in advance that the individual has respiratory symptoms or confirmed COVID-19 and of the need for self-isolation on arrival.

Ending self-isolation

Service users who are symptomatic should follow the stay-at-home advice on NHS inform.

They should do this when they:

  • are free from fever for 48 hours without the use of medication such as paracetamol
  • no longer feel unwell

When other symptoms have resolved, a cough or change to taste and smell is not a sign of ongoing infection.

These symptoms can persist for weeks.

Read more about managing self-isolation in care homes or other residential settings.

Higher-risk settings (including care homes)

Residents can end self-isolation if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • five full days of isolation completed
  • have been without fever for 48 hours without use of medication (such as paracetamol)
  • no longer feel unwell

When other symptoms have resolved, a cough or change to taste and smell is not a sign of ongoing COVID-19 infection. Further testing is not usually needed. These symptoms can persist for weeks in people who have had recent COVID-19. However, cough and fever can be symptoms of other infectious and non-infectious conditions and may require GP investigation if they do not improve.

On rare occasions, the HPT may extend self-isolation.

Guidance on discontinuing IPC precautions in community health and care settings for COVID-19-positive service users can be found in the NIPCM Appendix 16 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care and from the local HPT.

Measures for staff

As per the SGHD/CMO(2023)12 letter published on 9 August 2023, all routine staff testing in the care homes has been ceased.

Resilience planning

To reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2,  staff should follow measures in this guidance.

Plan ahead to prepare for extra demands on staffing needs due to outbreaks or staff absence.

This is known as resilience planning.

It should include:

  • encouraging a high uptake of COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine amongst all staff
  • a regular review of resources needed to support service users when they are unwell or in self-isolation
  • resource to support named visiting during outbreaks
  • time and resource required to follow CH IPCM Safe management of the care environment – this includes:
    • PPE use
    • good hand hygiene and cough/respiratory etiquette
    • increased cleaning
    • staff cohorting
    • training updates
    • guidance review

Carefully consider using clinical staff from other care homes, residential settings or healthcare services to replace care home staff as part of resilience planning. Sharing staff between services during outbreaks is not advised.

Workplaces and their staff should risk assess the infection risk, both within and outwith the workplace.

This is particularly important for small departments where even a few staff absences could have significant impacts on resilience arrangements.

To enable home working, hybrid working and safer office working, follow the Scottish Government advice in COVID-19 safer businesses and workplaces.

Staff who have contact with a COVID-19 case

Staff who come into contact with a COVID-19 case are no longer automatically required to self-isolate. However, a risk assessment may need to be conducted.

The service manager should check appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place, if the contact occurred in the workplace.

Staff need to be vigilant to COVID-19 symptoms at all times. This is very important during the incubation period after contact with a COVID-19 case. 

If symptoms develop, see the measures for staff who become symptomatic or have positive PCR or LFD test.

Risk assessment

The service manager should risk assess the placement of staff who may be contacts of a case if there are any extremely vulnerable individuals in the setting. This includes those who are severely immuno-suppressed. Risk assessment may result in a temporary change to location or tasks of work.

This applies regardless of where contact with a COVID-19 case occurred.

Staff who become symptomatic

Staff who are symptomatic should not attend work.

If symptoms develop at work, they should put on a FRSM and return home immediately.

Health and social care staff should adhere to the NHS inform advice on managing symptoms of a respiratory infection and any local service occupational health policies.

The routine COVID-19 testing of symptomatic health and social care staff has ceased in line with the SGHD/CMO(2023)12 letter.

See Table 2 for testing eligibility.

Return to work

You can return to work when you feel better and no longer have a high temperature.

Staff with persistent symptoms should be risk assessed by their line manager when returning to work. This would be part of a return to work interview, as per usual processes. Particular consideration should be given to the placement of staff working with individuals at higher risk of serious illness.

Follow all relevant infection control precautions on your return.

Household members of the case should follow the advice on NHS inform.

Risk assessing return to work when symptoms persist

If symptoms persist, line managers are advised to:

  • undertake a risk assessment
  • consider redeploying some staff members in older people care homes until 10 days after their symptoms started

This may apply to staff who work with individuals at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.

For HSCWs returning to work, HPTs should have oversight of how risk assessments are being used to inform these decisions. They do not need to undertake the risk assessments.

Visiting professionals

All visiting staff should follow the COVID-19 guidance and all control measures implemented in the facility. This includes the IPC advice in the NIPCM Appendix 16 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care.

Professional visits are important services for community services and can be essential to wellbeing.

They ensure a renewed focus on anticipatory, preventative and rehabilitative care for all service users.

Professional visits need to be planned in advance to manage footfall – this minimises the risk to the service user population and the burden on staff.

Attendance of clinical staff for essential clinical assessments and treatment of service users need to be supported.

Methods such as telephone and telemedicine remain useful.

Visits from non-clinical services may pause during an outbreak unless the local HPT deems them essential.

New staff or agency staff

Service providers need to ensure that new and agency staff are adhering to processes applicable to service staff, including training and advised vaccination. A documented risk assessment of the use of agency staff can support good governance.

Testing

Proof of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result is not needed prior to starting work.

Symptom awareness

Staff should not start work if they are symptomatic. They should follow the measures for staff who become symptomatic.

Infection Prevention and Control

Agency staff should follow the same NIPCM Appendix 16: Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care as permanent staff.

In general, staff should not work across two facilities if one has an ongoing outbreak. This is at the discretion of the local HPT managing the outbreak in collaboration with service providers. 

Vaccination

Support all staff to become fully vaccinated as soon as possible to protect service users and other staff. Vaccination status should not be a barrier to staff starting work in the setting. It is strongly advised and work placements should be risk assessed. 

Testing recommendations

Most people can no longer get free covid tests.

The routine COVID-19 testing of symptomatic health and social care staff has been paused in line with the SGHD/CMO(2023)12 letter.

Health and social care staff should adhere to the NHS inform advice on managing symptoms of a respiratory infection and follow their local occupational health policies.

You can still access tests if you are eligible for new COVID-19 treatments due to a health condition. Further details on how to request this, if eligible, are provided on NHS inform.

Vaccination status does not change the relevance of testing. 

More information on testing can be found in the PHS COVID-19 guidance for HPTs.

Consent

Testing is not mandatory for individuals or staff.

It needs consent or provision made otherwise, for those without capacity.

See Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 principles for more information.

Purpose of testing

Most people who are not eligible for testing can no longer get free covid tests.

Testing for COVID-19, from 30 August 2023, remains to:

  • support clinical diagnosis, when advised by a healthcare professional
  • support an investigation of a COVID-19 variant and mutation (VAM)
  • support outbreaks management, as per the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual or on advice from local Infection Prevention and Control Teams or local Health Protection Teams
  • test those who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments
  • test individuals prior to their discharge from hospital to a care home or hospice, as per government policy, to provide additional reassurance for these settings

The routine COVID-19 testing of symptomatic health and social care staff has been ceased in line with the SGHD/CMO(2023)12 letter.

Health and social care staff should adhere to the NHS inform advice on managing symptoms of a respiratory infection

Ordering tests

The COVID-19 page on NHS inform provides information on accessing COVID-19 tests for those who are eligible.

For service users

The respiratory screening questions in the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions should be asked to all admissions/transfers to inform a risk assessment.   

This is especially important when testing is not possible.

Status Symptomatic Asymptomatic Asymptomatic but known contact with a COVID-19 case
Older adult care home residents Test when clinically indicated No testing required No testing required
Older adult care home residents - admission from hospital Clinical risk assessment if symptoms develop prior to admission, including PCR or LFD test. One negative LFD result should be available preferably within 48 hours prior to discharge from hospital One negative LFD result should be available preferably within 48 hours prior to discharge from hospital
Older adult care home residents - admission from hospital (COVID-19 recovered) Clinical risk assessment advised if new symptoms develop prior to admission, including PCR or LFD test. If symptoms are resolving from known COVID-19 infection, no testing required if 10-day isolation completed in hospital OR one negative LFD test before discharge (preferably within 48 hours prior to discharge), if 10-day isolation not complete. No testing required if 10-day isolation completed in hospital OR one negative LFD test before discharge (preferably within 48 hours prior to discharge), if 10-day isolation not complete Not applicable as they are a recovered COVID-19 case.
Older adult care home residents - admission from the community (including from other care homes and hospices) Test when clinically indicated No testing required No testing required
Service users in community and residential settings (non-older adult settings) No testing indicated - follow NHS inform stay at home guidance for the general population. Unless advised otherwise by HPT or clinician. No testing required. No testing required.
Service users in residential settings - admission from hospital (COVID-19 recovered) (non-older adult settings) No testing required. Unless clinically indicated No testing required. Not applicable as the service user is a recovered COVID-19 case.
Service users in residential settings - admission from hospital (non-older adult settings) No testing indicated - follow NHS inform stay at home guidance for the general population. Unless advised otherwise by HPT or clinician. No testing required. No testing required.
Service users in residential settings - admission from the community (non-older adult settings) No testing indicated - follow NHS inform stay at home guidance for the general population. Unless advised otherwise by HPT or clinician. No testing required. No testing required.

Find out more information on managing symptomatic service users.

Refer to moving between settings section for supporting information for admissions.

Local HPTs can advise in complex situations.

Testing for hospital discharges

See advice in moving between settings section for more details on transferring service users from hospital to the relevant setting.

With no test result

It is possible to discharge a service user without an available test result from hospital to a setting where admission testing is advised - see Table 1. A risk assessment will outline whether self-isolation is needed

Find out more information in the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions.

Recovered service user

Discharging a COVID-19 recovered service user to the receiving setting before their 10-day self-isolation period in hospital has ended is possible. This should be risk assessed.

See the testing advice outlined in Table 1 for the receiving service.

The testing advice in Table 1 still applies even if the service user is not required to self-isolate on admission to the setting.

For staff

Staff should maintain symptom awareness and adhere to NHS inform advice on managing symptoms of a respiratory infection

Status Symptomatic Asymptomatic Asymptomatic but known contact with a COVID-19 case
Staff working in care homes for older adults No testing indicated - follow NHS inform stay at home guidance for the general population No testing indicated No testing indicated
Staff included in the social care and community based testing guidance No testing indicated - follow NHS inform stay at home guidance for the general population No testing indicated No testing indicated
All other staff not included in the social care and community based testing guidance No testing indicated - follow NHS inform stay at home guidance for the general population No testing indicated No testing indicated

For visitors to the setting

Friends and family visitors

No testing advised.

More advice for visitors is available in visiting arrangements in residential settings.

Professional visitors

No testing is advised for professional visitors.

Maintain symptom awareness and adhere to NHS inform advice on managing symptoms of a respiratory infection.

Outbreak management

Definition of a COVID-19 outbreak

Two linked cases of COVID-19 over a 14-day period within a defined setting.

COVID-19 outbreak management should follow existing, well-established public health principles and practice.

Find out more information in the management of public health incidents – guidance on the roles and responsibilities of NHS-led incident management teams.

HPTs do not need to identify and manage outbreaks in all settings. Services can contact HPTs for support, if needed.

HPTs should use a risk-based approach to focus their limited resources on the highest priority settings.

Outbreak management and risk assessment

When needed, the outbreak management process is overseen by the local HPT, led by an appointed Competent Person under the  Public Health Etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 using a dynamic risk assessment approach.

This can be via the IMT or directly by the HPT.

The situation is continuously assessed, and the control measures are reviewed by the HPT or IMT, if formed.

 

Identifying higher and lower-risk settings

There may be outbreaks that do not fall into either higher or lower-risk setting categories.

The HPT may choose to take a closer management approach if there is potential for severe disruption to health services or critical infrastructure.

Lower risk

There are some settings where there is a lower risk of direct health harm arising from COVID-19 than in other settings, for example, settings mainly comprised of younger or working-age populations.

These are considered as lower-risk settings.

There may be some individuals with higher vulnerability in lower-risk settings. These individuals should follow the advice provided by their clinician during an outbreak.

Higher risk

Care homes for older adults are considered higher-risk settings for outbreak management purposes. HPTs should be notified when a cluster of cases is identified.

This is due to:

  • the population being older and likely to have more underlying health conditions
    • this puts them at greater risk of more severe illness in comparison to most younger people
  • opportunities for infections to spread quickly throughout the facility due to the communal nature of the setting

Service providers can contact the local HPT if they need further advice.

Staff shortages

Staff shortages can quickly become an issue during an outbreak due to the size and nature of some services.

Management teams should complete their resilience planning in advance for this eventuality.

Local authority and Care Inspectorate input during an outbreak may provide useful in finding solutions to staffing shortages based on a risk assessment approach led by the HPT.

This risk assessment considers the vulnerability to COVID-19 of service users balanced with the risk of suspending important services and the wider harms this could pose.

Reporting outbreaks

Some settings may have obligations to report clusters or outbreaks to other agencies, for example:

  • Care Inspectorate
  • Environmental health departments
  • Health and Safety Executive

Lower-risk settings

Reporting to HPTs

There is no obligation for lower-risk settings to report clusters of confirmed COVID-19 cases or unusually high levels of absence thought to be associated with COVID-19 – in other words, possible cases – to HPTs.

It is expected that most of these situations will be managed via standard working practices in place in each setting for sickness and absence at work. HPTs can be contacted for support in complex situations.

HPTs should engage and support settings to manage the outbreak proportionate to their assessment of the risk to public health if approached for advice.

HPTs may make the decision to engage in the handling of any individual cases, clusters or outbreaks at their discretion.

Mitigation measures

Service providers should undertake a rapid internal review of the setting's risk assessment and mitigation measures in response to an outbreak and urgently consider any improvements to be made to their implementation as a priority.

See the care home infection prevention and control manual (CH IPCM) and the NIPCM for IPC guidance.

Implementing mitigations in services might be challenging. For example, isolation of young children or those with learning disabilities – especially if they create distress for the individual. The local HPT can be contacted in those situations.

Higher-risk settings: initial assessment

If one confirmed service user case arises or two or more linked individuals develop symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days in a higher risk facility, the service provider should:

  • alert the local HPT who will carry out a risk assessment and investigate whether an outbreak is occurring – the level of response to an outbreak from the HPT will be based on the HPT’s risk assessment
  • undertake a rapid internal review of the setting's risk assessment and mitigation measures – consider any improvements to their implementation as a priority (see the NIPCM Appendices 14 to 16 for IPC guidance

Where indicated, the HPT may ask to review the services’ COVID-19 workplace risk assessment or other outbreak management plan.

These steps should be undertaken collaboratively with the setting and be used to develop an individualised action plan for outbreak management.

Identifying linked cases

The assessment of linked service user cases when considering any potential outbreak should include those individuals who are present in the location where a case has been identified. It should also include service users who have either been transferred from the setting to hospital, or elsewhere, or died within the same time period of 14 days.

Continue with symptom vigilance in staff and service users and robust application of IPC measures.

In many cases, service providers do not require to contact the HPT following a single confirmed staff case if there are no further staff or service users that are symptomatic or confirmed cases. A documented risk assessment should support that decision.

When investigating COVID-19 transmission in a setting and implementing mitigation measures, this should be decoupled from the identification of staff cases if no links are found.

Declaring an outbreak

Declaring an outbreak is the responsibility of the HPT.

An IMT may be convened and led by the HPT.

If not, support will be provided directly by the HPT, when indicated.

Higher-risk settings: testing

Asymptomatic service users who are in close contact with a case and are well, do not require to be tested. They should be monitored for the development of symptoms. Testing in this circumstance can lead to unnecessary restrictions and is at the discretion of the local HPT.

A service user with fever and/or new respiratory symptoms should have a PCR sample submitted for SARS-CoV-2 and if indicated, a wider respiratory panel of tests. Service users and their families should be advised of the possibility of wider testing if this is needed as part of outbreak investigation.

This can include influenza and other organisms, in line with local diagnostic laboratory protocols.

PCR is the preferred test for symptomatic service users. LFD tests can be used to support an initial risk assessment under direction of the HPT during suspected outbreaks.

When a cluster of symptomatic cases arises, it is good practice to submit samples for up to five symptomatic service users to confirm the pathogen.

Additional cases matching the outbreak case definition do not all need to be tested once the pathogen is identified.

There can still be a clinical need to test further cases – for example, to confirm the diagnosis in individuals with other respiratory illnesses or to determine eligibility for some treatments. See COVID-19: guidance for HPTs for more information.

Testing arrangements during an outbreak are at the discretion of the local HPT.

The HPT has autonomy to deviate from the guidance according to local circumstances and risk assessment.

Mass testing

Mass testing is unlikely to be justifiable in this recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, since it can have unintended consequences of likely greater harm than benefit. For example, prolonged periods of unnecessary self-isolation.

Any mass testing should be based on a risk assessment by the HPT/IMT.

If undertaken, PCR testing is strongly advised, rather than LFD testing. This is due to increased sensitivity and potential to test for other respiratory viruses.

However, when indicated, both may be able to be used effectively in combination, under the direction of the HPT.

Consideration should be given regarding the need to inform local microbiology laboratory services where it is anticipated there will be a large volume of samples received.

Higher-risk settings: outbreak management measures

Local HPTs lead on the management of outbreaks in the community, when indicated, including care homes, prisons and other closed settings, according to their statutory duties under the Public Health Etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.  

They make decisions on outbreak control using a population-based risk assessment approach. This considers the circumstances of the outbreak, the setting itself, and the individuals involved.

Self-isolation will be in place for service users who are symptomatic or confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Some service users may find restrictions on their movements difficult to follow during an outbreak. For example, service users who walk with purpose. They often need increased support during an outbreak. The Scottish Government COVID-19: living with dementia in care homes guidance has more information.

Non-residential services should consider pausing activity for a few days in discussion with their local HPT.

Infection prevention and control measures

A number of outbreak management measures are available, as advised by the HPT.  

These include, but are not limited to:

  • regular monitoring of resident's symptoms
  • isolation of cases
  • appropriate PPE use
  • enhanced cleaning
  • changing from routine visiting to named person (and exceptionally, moving to essential visiting)
  • cohorting of service users and staff
  • a temporary reintroduction of physical distancing

See the NIPCM Appendix 16 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care for advice on these measures.

Visiting arrangements

See visiting arrangements in residential settings.

Using communal spaces

Sometimes it is possible to manage selected areas of a residential facility as a separate unit or units, with no shared activities or staff.

Unaffected services can continue with normal arrangements, with an increased vigilance for any contact links or symptoms in their service users or staff.

Communal areas may need to be more closely supervised to ensure service users who are symptomatic or confirmed cases do not mix with others.

Keep communal areas open for use by service users who are not identified as cases or symptomatic of COVID-19 – this is the default position during an outbreak if it can be arranged by staff.

If outbreak measures prove particularly challenging to implement or staffing levels are low, communal areas may not be able to be used temporarily.

They should be reopened as soon as practical.

Transfers

Transfers of service users in and out of the setting during an outbreak must be risk assessed.

Consider the:

  • service user's tested or presumed COVID-19 status
  • size of the outbreak
  • spread within the setting
  • units which are affected
  • physical layout of the building
  • vaccination status of the individual and coverage at the setting

Advise any receiving service, for example a hospital ward or ambulance or residential facility, of the IPC measures needed for each service user they support.

Declaring an outbreak over

For HPT to declare an outbreak over

There should be no new linked symptomatic or confirmed COVID-19 cases for a minimum period of at least 14 days from last possible exposure to a case, whether in a service user or staff member.

The HPT should also consider whether:

  • existing cases have been isolated or cohorted effectively
  • guidance on IPC and other interventions is being applied appropriately
  • sufficient staff to enable the setting to operate safely using PPE appropriately are needed

Once five days have lapsed since symptom onset of the latest case, the HPT can risk assess which control measures can be discontinued, whilst care home staff maintain vigilance for any new suspected cases. 

Moving between settings

General advice

This section covers:

  • admissions to settings
  • visits away from settings ​

Respiratory screening

Prior to admission, whether from a healthcare or community setting, respiratory screening questions should always be asked of the service user or their carer. 

These are outlined in the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions.

Protecting those at highest risk

Self-isolation is not required on admission unless there is an increased risk of infection identified through completion of the respiratory screening questions.

For older adult care homes, a decision on admission and any self-isolation requirements must involve the care home manager. It may be subject to local processes as guided by the local Partnership oversight group. A clinical or health protection view may also support this.

If a service user is known to have recently been in contact with a COVID-19 case - see our advice for providing care for service users who have had contact with a COVID-19 case.

Admissions from the community

Risk assessment

Service users admitted from the community (including from other residential settings) should complete the respiratory screening questions in the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions.

This will inform the admission risk assessment.

No self-isolation is required on admission where there is not an increased risk of infection identified through completion of the respiratory screening questions.

For older adult care homes, a decision on admission and any self-isolation requirements must involve the care home manager. It may be subject to local processes as guided by the local Partnership oversight group. A clinical or health protection view may also support this.

If a service user is known to have recently been in contact with a COVID-19 case - see our advice for providing care for service users who have had contact with a COVID-19 case.

Symptomatic or COVID-19 cases (if tested)

Follow our guidance for providing care for service users who are symptomatic or have a positive COVID-19 test if a new admission is either:

  • symptomatic
  • a confirmed COVID-19 case (if tested)
  • answers 'yes' to any of the respiratory screening questions

Consider whether delaying the admission is appropriate.

If admission to the care home or residential setting is in the best interests of the service user's health and wellbeing, then this should be supported, provided the care home or residential setting can isolate and care for the service user appropriately.

Testing

See testing recommendations for service users for guidance for admission purposes.

Admissions from hospital to non-care home services 

COVID-19 recovered admissions

If self-isolation has been completed in hospital, then no further self-isolation or testing is needed for service users being admitted to a setting.

COVID-19 recovered service users should follow the advice in providing care for service users – managing self-isolation in care homes or other residential settings if discharged before their self-isolation period in hospital has been completed.

Service users should do this until they are absent from fever without the use of antipyretics and no longer feel unwell.

Non-COVID-19 admissions

No self-isolation or testing is required prior to admission to a setting for service users that are asymptomatic and have not tested positive for COVID-19.

A local risk assessment should be undertaken by management of the setting in communication with the hospital team.

Service managers undertaking such risk assessment should refer to the respiratory screening questions in the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions.

The HPT may advise testing prior to admission if the setting provides care to clinically vulnerable individuals.

Older adult care homes: admissions from hospital

Hospital COVID-19-recovered admissions to older adult care homes

The self-isolation period in hospital is 10 days.

COVID-19-recovered residents who have completed 10 days of isolation in hospital can be discharged to the care home (10 days after symptom onset or first positive test, if asymptomatic) without further testing or isolation.

This is providing the resident is both:

  • clinically stable
  • fever free for 48 hours without using medication such as paracetamol

Any decision to discharge should be made in collaboration between the healthcare setting and the receiving care home manager. It is good practice to involve the family of the resident.

To inform a risk assessment, use:

Returning residents to their homely environment, rather than a continuing stay in a clinical setting, is encouraged for their recovery and general wellbeing.

This process for COVID-19-recovered patients who have completed 10 days of isolation in hospital applies to both returning and new residents being discharged from hospital into the care home.

Discharging before completion of the self-isolation period in hospital

If a COVID-recovered resident has not completed their self-isolation period in hospital, then they can do so in the care home.

The self-isolation period for hospital inpatients and care home service users differs.

  • Hospital inpatients require a minimum of 10 days of self-isolation.
  • Residents self-isolating inside the care home require a minimum of 5 days.

COVID-recovered residents discharged from the hospital before completing their self-isolation period do not need to start a new period of isolation. Residents do not need to continue with self-isolation on admission to the care home if they have completed a minimum of 5 days self-isolation whilst in hospital and they are fever free for 48 hours without the use of medication.

Day one of isolation is counted as the day after the date of their positive test/symptom onset.

No further testing is needed once this isolation period is completed.

Testing

See testing recommendations for residents for guidance for admission purposes.

Non-COVID-19 admissions to older adult care homes

Residents do not need to self-isolate on admission to the care home if they:

Returning residents to their homely environment when they are clinically fit for discharge is important for recovery and general wellbeing and should be supported.

This should be agreed with the care home.

Rarely, the risk assessment may determine the resident should self-isolate upon return to the care home – for example, if there are new symptoms.

Testing

See testing recommendations for service users for admission purposes.

Hospital contacts of COVID-19 cases

Residents identified as a contact by the infection prevention and control team (IPCT) during their hospital stay do not need isolation in the care home upon transfer, but monitoring for symptoms should be in place.

Children being moved between or to new care facilities

Risk assessment

Children admitted from the community (including from other residential settings) should complete the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions.

If the child has symptoms of COVID-19 or another respiratory infection, their placement should take account of the health protection and IPC requirements of others in that setting but should not delay it unnecessarily.

Communication

Communication is key between service providers and the child or their guardian or carer.

Effective communication and explaining why decisions are being made and what to expect is important to promote wellbeing and reduce distress.

Testing

There is no need to test children prior to their admission.

If the setting has clinically vulnerable children or if there are complex circumstances identified, then advice on testing can be sought from the local HPT.

The decision to test and the results must not impact on the urgency of responding to the needs of the child and ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

Residential respite or short breaks services

Scope of respite guidance

The respite advice included in this guidance applies to:

  • residential respite facilities for children (including those registered as care homes)
  • stand-alone residential respite facilities for adults and older people (settings registered as care homes)
  • respite-providing care homes for older people that are not considered stand-alone facilities

Facilities that are unsure about which guidance applies can contact the Health and Social Care Partnership Oversight Group or local HPT.

They will advise based on the characteristics of the setting.

Risk assessment

Complete the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions for service users admitted from the community for respite or for a short break.

If the individual answers 'yes' to any of the screening questions they should follow the advice in providing care for service users who are symptomatic, as appropriate for the setting.

If they answer 'no' to all the questions, self-isolation is not required.

Testing

Individuals being admitted for respite or short break in care homes for older adults or services with older or clinically vulnerable individuals do not need to be tested if they are asymptomatic.

Service providers can contact the local HPT if they need further advice.

Operating the respite service

Individual services must identify and set out the capacity for their setting.

Consider this through a risk assessment for the service.

The risk assessment can include factors such as:

  • outbreak status of the premises
  • implementation of staff training and IPC measures
  • size and layout of the setting
  • clinical vulnerability of those attending the setting
  • vaccination uptake in staff and service users
  • staffing levels
  • arrangements for hand hygiene facilities and environmental cleaning
  • the ability to maintain physical distancing if implemented by the service
  • whether the respite area is part of, or separate from, a care home which may or may not provide care to clinically vulnerable individuals

Further information relating to IPC and communal areas can be found in the NIPCM Appendix 16 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health and care workers (HCWs) during the provision of care.

The measures taken will need to be tailored to the specific residential/short break service and to the individual needs and considerations of those who use the service and of their carers.

This will need regular review and should be documented by the service.

Service users who temporarily leave the residential setting or care home

The advice in this section applies to service users who temporarily leave the residential setting or care home for the following purposes:

  • to attend hospital appointments
  • an overnight stay in hospital
  • outings planned by visitors
  • outings arranged by staff
  • day visits away from the care home or residential setting
  • overnight stays away from the care home or residential setting

Advice for outings

Care homes and other residential settings are encouraged to enable personal and social outings, and routine visiting when there is no outbreak.

Service users and visitors are advised to follow the Scottish Government guidance on staying safe and protecting others

Service users and their visitors should be made aware of the potentially increased risk of infection, during the planning of community outings – particularly when the course of vaccination has not yet been completed.

A brief risk assessment can assist in preparing for community visits.

Symptom vigilance amongst service users and their friends and family when planning outings away from the care home or residential setting is an important measure.

Anyone with new respiratory symptoms should not participate in a social outing.

Returning from outings

Testing is not needed if the service user remains asymptomatic. 

Service users or their carers or relatives have a duty to report to staff:

  • any symptoms that developed during the visit away
  • potential exposures to COVID-19 cases that have occurred

Service users should be asked the ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions on return from overnight stays.

Service users or staff do not need to change their clothes when they return. 

During an outbreak

When a cluster or outbreak of cases arises within a residential service, visits for essential healthcare reasons – for example, hospital attendance – can continue to be arranged. The destination service and transport should be advised there is an outbreak in the residence. Any queries can be discussed with the local HPT.

Service users not identified as cases can also be supported to go on an outing with their relatives using a risk assessment approach. This is on condition the residential facility can accommodate this without adversely impacting the management of the outbreak itself. This applies to older adult care home residents also.

Outings should be in line both with the service users' care plans and the management of the outbreak.

Staff resource will be prioritised on managing the outbreak and providing safe care. Service users and their friends and family should be made aware of this.

This means care staff sometimes cannot accommodate outings for a temporary period of time.

If an outbreak develops in the residential facility whilst the service user is away, the service user can choose to remain away or return to the facility.

This recognises the setting is their place of residence and home.

The local HPT can advise on decisions which need to be discussed and agreed between the service manager and the service user, and their family.

This should consider the restrictive conditions in the setting for outbreak management purposes upon their return.

Visiting arrangements in residential settings

This advice does not apply to people receiving care in their own home.

Supporting people in residential settings to remain connected with their loved ones is important for their general health and wellbeing.

Routine visiting

Residents will have different needs or preferences for visiting.

These should be supported wherever possible to help residents maintain their health and wellbeing.

Each resident should have visiting needs and preferences included in their individualised care plan, balanced against the needs of everyone in the care home. For example, when an outbreak is declared.

It is the responsibility of care home staff to communicate any short-term changes to visiting to service users and their families.

Vaccination of visitors

Vaccination is strongly encouraged for all visitors but is not obligatory for visits.

Symptom awareness

Visitors should not visit any care home or residential setting if they:

  • are a COVID-19 case
  • have any COVID-19 symptoms or if they have any other symptoms of infection, for example:
    • sickness or diarrhoea
    • respiratory symptoms
    • rashes

Visitors with symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 should follow the NHS inform stay-at-home guidance.

Visitors who live with or have recently been in contact with a COVID-19 case should be extra vigilant to the development of symptoms and should consider delaying their visit to any communal residential setting.

The ARHAI respiratory symptom screening questions can be used to check for wider symptoms before interaction with service users.

Infection prevention and control

Visitors should be informed of, and adhere to, IPC measures that are in place.

Length of visit

There are no public health limits on length of visit or how often service users can receive visitors in the care home settings during routine visiting.

Size of group

There are no restrictions on group sizes, but crowding should always be avoided.

An assessment should consider the built environment of the care home or residential setting, including factors such as ventilation.

Scottish Government guidance

The Scottish Government have published Open with Care: supporting meaningful contact in adult care homes – principles.

Further information for visitors is available in our sections on:

Community group visits

Community group visits are permitted into the residential setting or care home to engage with service users and enhance wellbeing.

These are part of routine visiting arrangements.

They should be planned and risk assessed ahead of time using the principles in this guidance to reduce risks to the service users.

Size of group

Avoid crowding.

Consider the number of people that can use an area so that it allows individuals to have their own space.

Some service users may want to take part but feel anxious about COVID-19 risks (or other infection risks). You can offer them a face mask and their own dedicated space. Others may choose not to participate, and this should be respected.

Frequency of visits

The frequency of community group visits should be manageable by service providers.

Choirs and singing groups

If a choir or singing group is performing, a minimum of a 2-metre distance is advised between the choir and the service users while performing.

If there is an outbreak

Postpone visits from community groups if there is an outbreak in the setting.

Visits when a service user is symptomatic or COVID-19 diagnosed

When a service user has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, or has tested positive for COVID-19, visiting can be supported.

Service users can receive one visitor per day – the named person – in their private room during the self-isolation period.

The named person should not be symptomatic of COVID-19, nor a confirmed case themselves when they are visiting.

The local HPT can support a risk assessment for this, if needed, in complex situations.

If an outbreak has been declared by the local HPT, use the guidance on visiting during an outbreak (named person initiative).

Infection prevention and control

The visitor must adhere to IPC measures and only enter the service user's private room.

Avoid other areas of the setting and minimise time spent passing through corridors as much as possible.

See the NIPCM for further information on PPE for visitors.

Visiting during an outbreak (named person initiative)

Named person initiative

During a COVID-19 outbreak, when routine visiting is temporarily suspended, the named person initiative is to be used for visiting. Having any one of up to three named persons visiting (per day) during a COVID-19 outbreak can avoid service users experiencing periods of isolation from their loved ones.

This initiative recognises the benefits to service users' health and wellbeing that visiting brings.

Service users have different needs and preferences for visiting. Some may wish to not receive any visitors during an outbreak, and this should be respected. The resident's needs and preferences for visiting should be included in their care plans from the outset of admission to the service. It should be flexible enough to accommodate changes at short notice in agreement between care home management and the resident, and when relevant, their relatives.

This person-centred approach should also be considered for visiting arrangements during outbreaks of any organism to support the health and wellbeing of residents as much as possible as long as this does not interfere with effective outbreak management. This is at the discretion of the HPT supporting management of the outbreak.

Staff can support service users to choose 'named persons' who may visit them during a COVID-19 outbreak, when this initiative is in place.

Staff will advise on whether the visit can take place in communal areas, or if it must be in the resident’s own room.

Having named persons during an outbreak in the care home or residential setting carries a degree of risk for the visitor as well as the resident, as they may themselves be vulnerable to infection or not vaccinated.

Named persons need to use PPE when visiting during an outbreak – see NIPCM for further information on PPE for visitors. They must also follow all other IPC measures in place.

Older adult care homes still remain vulnerable settings due to their closed nature, communal living and the susceptibility of the service user population to infectious disease.

Choosing named persons for outbreak visiting

Care homes and residential settings should:

  • support service users to nominate up to three named persons
  • keep an updated record of each service user's named persons
  • involve family members, friends and advocates in this task, as appropriate

Only one named person should visit each day when the named person initiative is in operation.

Exceptionally, two named persons can visit at one time if support is needed by one of them, for example, an elderly spouse.

Exceptions remain at the discretion of the care home or residential setting and/or the HPT. 

Named person eligibility

The named person should not attend if they meet any of the criteria outlined in the symptom awareness section.

The named person is strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated, though it is not obligatory.

Named persons should be made aware and understand the exposure risks to themselves when visiting during an outbreak.

The named person must be able to follow the advised infection prevention control procedures on the day, as advised by staff.

If your named person is unavailable

If none of the named persons can visit – for example, if they are self-isolating, on holiday, ill – the care home or residential setting should facilitate an alternative individual that can act as the named person.

Frequent changes in named person are not practical for this initiative and should be avoided.

Helping with care

Care staff have a professional duty of care to the people they care for and this needs to consider the resident's wishes.

Named persons may, with agreement of the service user (or representative) and the care home or residential setting staff, provide day-to-day basic care to support service users’ health and wellbeing.

This is complementary to the care from staff.

It could include encouragement to eat and drink.

Length of visit

Care homes or residential settings have a range of extra caring tasks during outbreaks.

Relatives and care home or residential setting staff should work together to support named persons on factors such as the time and length of visits.

Visiting someone with COVID-19

Named persons can visit a COVID-19-positive service user who may require some comfort in what can be a stressful time.

The local HPT can support risk assessing whether 'named person' visits to someone with COVID-19 can continue, considering the:

  • service users' needs
  • nature of the outbreak at that time
  • health status/clinical vulnerability of the visitor

The named person must wear appropriate PPE – see NIPCM for further information on PPE for visitors.

Care home or residential setting staff can support and supervise the donning and doffing of the PPE.

Communal areas

Service users who are neither symptomatic nor confirmed COVID-19 cases and their named person may continue to use communal areas if the whole setting is not being managed as a household.

Possible or confirmed COVID-19 cases should not use communal areas.

This is to ensure that those individuals identified as, or working with, COVID-19 cases avoid mixing with individuals who are not affected.

Staying connected

Staff should assist service users to stay connected with their loved ones. This can be particularly important during an outbreak, especially if visiting arrangements change.

In addition to visiting, digital methods of communication can be explored. For example, using technology to make video-calls, phone calls and send messages.

Window visits can also be supported, wherever possible.

Supporting visiting

The local Health and Social Partnership Oversight Team (working alongside the local HPT) have a role in supporting care homes or residential settings to implement visiting effectively. 

NHS inform provides useful information from the Care Inspectorate to the public for clarification on visiting if the care home management are not able to provide this.

Supporting essential visiting (outbreak)

Use of essential visiting

The named person initiative is the default visiting process during care home outbreaks.

Exceptionally, however, the HPT may risk assess that it is necessary to move from named person to essential visiting for a few days. This is a more restricted form of visiting. Essential visiting should be supported regardless of outbreak status.

Moving to essential visiting could happen if there is uncertainty in the effectiveness of outbreak management or serious concerns are identified and effective outbreak management is at risk. Examples of factors to consider include::

  • PPE shortages
  • concerns with staffing levels 
  • low visitor compliance with IPC advice
  • higher levels of severe illness and poor outcomes than would be expected
  • concerns reported by the Care Inspectorate

Essential visits

The two main reasons qualifying for essential visiting are:

  • end-of-life visits
  • to avoid distressing situations

Visitor numbers for essential visits for service users receiving end-of-life care are generally not limited.

Essential visits need to be agreed between the service user, the visitor and service manager. The service manager can contact the local HPT for advice in complex situations.

If it is anticipated that even a few days without visiting would have a significant negative impact on the service user's physical, emotional, or psychological wellbeing causing distress, this can be recorded in their care plan as a likely reason for visits by one person to continue when essential visiting is in place.

Staff are encouraged to ensure care plans are current and reflect the preferences and needs of service users.

At the time of an outbreak, further person-centred assessment of those service users who may require essential visitors may be needed, even if this has not been previously recorded.

For example, this would include providing support to someone with a mental health issue, a learning disability or autism, where not being present may cause distress to the service user. Sometimes this visitor is referred to as an Essential Contact Person, for this purpose. 

Duration of essential visiting arrangements

Moving to essential visiting is most likely to arise at the start of an outbreak, albeit rarely and short-lasting.

Essential visits are not typically restricted in frequency and duration but by their nature need to be agreed with service managers.

The HPT reviews (at least twice weekly) any move to essential visiting in their regular dialogue with care homes with an outbreak. Essential visiting will be in place for the shortest possible period.

Death Certification during COVID-19 pandemic

Details on death certification during the COVID-19 pandemic were outlined in the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) letter dated 20 May 2020.

This was updated in April 2022.

Abbreviations

ABHR

Alcohol based hand rub

AGP

Aerosol generating procedure

ARHAI

Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection

CMO

Chief Medical Officer

CNO

Chief Nursing Officer

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 19

EDCD

European Centre for Disease Control

FRSM

Fluid resistant surgical mask

HPT

Health protection team

HSCW

Health and social care worker

HSE

Health and Safety Executive

IMT

Incident management team

IPC

Infection prevention and control

IPCT

Infection prevention and control team

JCVI

Joint Committee for Vaccines and Immunisation

LFD

Lateral flow device - refers to test

MHRA

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

NHS

National Health Service

NIPCM

National infection prevention and control manual

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction - refers to test

PHEIC

Public Health Emergency of International Concern

PHS

Public Health Scotland (new organisation formed in 2020, encompassing former Health Protection Scotland)

POCT

Point of care test

PPE

Personal protective equipment

RNA

Ribonucleic acid

SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

SG

Scottish Government

SICP

Standard infection control precautions

TBP

Transmission based precautions

UKHSA

UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England)

Last updated: 20 November 2023
31 August 2023 - Version 2.8

This guidance has been updated to capture the advice on testing in healthcare settings in the SGHD/CMO(2023)12 published on 9 Aug 2023, advising to cease all routine testing in health, social care and prison settings.

An exception to this is for individuals in hospital, prior to being discharged to a care home or hospice. This routine testing will remain.

These changes should take effect no later than 30 August 2023.

All sections have been updated to capture the advice above and implications on overall management of cases and outbreaks.

Links to Scottish Government pages, NHS inform and the NIPCM have been updated accordingly. A regular screening on these links will be maintained to keep them live. However, any broken links kept inadvertently will be updated as soon as possible.

It is worth highlighting the update to actions by HPTs when declaring an outbreak over in care homes. In the circumstances of an outbreak, once 5 days have lapsed since symptom onset of the latest case, the HPT can risk assess which control measures can be discontinued, whilst care home staff maintain vigilance for any new suspected cases. 

24 May 2023 - Version 2.7 of information and guidance for social, community and residential care settings

Removal of reference to prisons as one of the types of community residential settings covered by this guidance. Standalone COVID-19 guidance for prisons now.

PPE and Face Coverings section updated to reflect the withdrawal of the Scottish Government extended use of face masks and face coverings guidance in healthcare and social care settings.

Links to new NIPCM Appendix 21: COVID-19 Pandemic IPC Controls for Health and Social Care Settings included throughout. This new appendix 21 is a merger of the former appendix 21 and appendix 22.

06 March 2023 - Version 2.6 of information and guidance for social, community and residential care settings

Clarifications to the advice on the use of face masks in the PPE and face coverings section.

Advice on essential visiting updated. This now includes examples of factors that HPTs may consider when moving to essential visiting during an outbreak and additional advice for services on how to support this.  

Correction of transcription error in Table 3a regarding management advice for prison staff, as the table previously advised "one negative LFD test before discharge (preferably within 48 hrs prior to discharge) OR no testing required if 10 day isolation completed in hospital" now corrected to advise "Not required, as per the general population, follow stay at home guidance as outlined on NHS inform".

30 January 2023 - Version 2.5

Merger of prison guidance into social, community, residential care (SCRC) setting guidance, as one of the types of community residential settings covered by this guidance.

Generic changes – i.e. applicable to all settings captured in the scope

  • The addition of prison settings to the scope of the guidance and prison specific sections where appropriate.
  • Use of term ‘service user’ to cover all settings within the guidance and ‘resident’ only where information is care home or prison specific.
  • Information in the ‘Infectious and incubation periods’ sub-section updated.
  • Removal of the testing table for visitors (formerly Table 3), as testing no longer advised.

Changes specific to social, community and residential care settings

  • Advice added for service providers to record service user visiting preferences and needs on admission to the setting, and keeping this updated in their care plans.
  • ‘Named Person’ terminology has replaced ‘Named Visitor’.
  • Any pauses to named person visiting (expected only exceptionally) are now advised to be reviewed twice weekly as a minimum and expected to last only a few days.
  • Addition of a ‘staying connected’ sub-section during outbreaks.
  • Updated advice on essential visiting.

Changes specific to prison settings

  • Description of prisons as being a higher-risk setting alongside care homes added to the outbreak section.
  • Testing advice for asymptomatic admissions and transfers updated.
  • Advice for prisons on implementing an admission cohort process updated.
  • Clarity that contact tracing is no longer routinely carried out but that symptom vigilance is particularly encouraged for cell mates/household of cases.
  • Addition of two prison specific appendices, encompassing information from previous prison guidance.
  • Clarity for information in Table 3 (included in Appendix 1) – the HPT/IMT can deviate from the outlined measures for case and contact isolation, as required, but these are considered to be good practice.
29 September 2022 - Version 2.4

Face masks and face coverings section updated advising the use of FRSMs as part of SICPs and TBPs in line with ARHAI Scotland guidance.

Hyperlink updated in the ordering tests advice.

Testing advice in residential respite or short breaks services updated.

Hyperlink to the care home COVID-19 outbreak checklist removed.

15 September 2022 - Version 2.3
  • The guidance has been updated throughout to reflect the pausing of asymptomatic testing, as outlined in DL (2022) 32.
  • The guidance has been revised throughout to reflect the updated Scottish Government guidance on COVID-19: use of face coverings in social care settings including adult care homes.
  • Updated to reflect the removal of asymptomatic care home staff weekly PCR testing, as outlined in DL (2022) 29.
  • Reference to winter booster included.
  • Appendix 2 removed.
06 July 2022 - Version 2.2

Key updates that are included throughout the guidance:

  • This guidance has been merged with the COVID-19: guidance for care home settings (for older adults). This means that all care homes (registered with the care inspectorate) are now included in the scope of this guidance and the standalone COVID-19: guidance for care homes (older adults) has been archived. New sections have been added to this guidance where specific advice is only applicable to older adult care homes.
  • Scope of the guidance expanded to included services who provide support to those experiencing homelessness.
  • References to the ARHAI Scotland Winter (21/22), Respiratory Infections in Health and Care Settings Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Addendum have been removed as the addendum will be withdrawn on 11 July 2022.
  • References to the new ARHAI Scotland Community IPC COVID-19 Pandemic appendix have been added throughout this guidance for IPC advice.

Key updates that are section specific:

  • Physical distancing: advice updated to align with the ARHAI Scotland Community IPC COVID-19 Pandemic appendix.
  • Advice for people at highest risk: section updated to reflect the end of the highest risk list on 31 May 2022.
  • Testing for COVID-19 infection: addition of three testing tables that contain testing advice for each of the following three groups: service users, staff and visitors. Where service user testing for admission purposes remains, LFD testing now indicated (previously PCR or LFD advised).
  • Outbreak management in higher risk settings: advice separated in to three sub-sections that cover the initial assessment, testing during an outbreak, and outbreak management measures.
  • Service users who temporarily leave the residential setting: new sub-section added that contains admission advice for service users who attend a hospital appointment or have an overnight stay in hospital.
  • Community groups visiting residential settings: new sub-section added outlining the health protection principles for services who wish to reintroduce community groups into residential settings (including care homes).
16 May 2022 - Version 2.1
  • Routine asymptomatic testing recommendation no longer covers general population, only HSCW working in specific settings should undertake routine asymptomatic testing.
  • Asymptomatic LFD testing for some HSCWs reverted to twice weekly.
  • Update to LFD kit access advice
  • Asymptomatic LFD testing only advised before attendance at specific health and social care settings for general population (visitors).
  • Updates to hyperlinks to other PHS guidance documents
  • Removal of contact tracing information in line with Scottish Government provision
  • Removal of asymptomatic testing for the general population (and service users)
  • Addition of appendix 2- checklist for COVID-19 outbreaks
31 March 2022 - Version 2.0
  • Scope of guidance updated to include adult care homes registered with the Care Inspectorate.
  • General updates to reflect change in LFD indications (before visiting crowded places and vulnerable individuals).
  • Change in LFD testing frequency and self-isolation requirements as a contact following recent COVID-19 infection for the general public and service users.
  • Change from 1 to 3 possible named visitors.
  • 28-day pause in testing and contact isolation for care home residents.
31 March 2022 - Version 2.0a
  • Scope of guidance updated to include adult care homes registered with the Care Inspectorate
  • General updates to reflect change in LFD indications (before visiting crowded places and vulnerable individuals).
  • Change in LFD testing frequency and self-isolation requirements as a contact following recent COVID-19 infection for the general public and service users.
  • Change from 1 to 3 possible named visitors.
  • 28-day pause in testing and contact isolation for care home residents.
25 February 2022 - Version 1.9

Prison settings and hospice settings removed from this guidance as new separate guidance published for prison settings and hospice advice now included in healthcare settings guidance.

There are general updates to text throughout the document to reflect current situation/policy decisions.

The document has also been restructured to improve readability

  • Section 2. Introduction: Background, spread of COVID-19 and symptom list updated to reflect current evidence
  • Section 3. General measures: all sections updated and addition of ventilation section
  • Section 4. Measures for staff: added information on exemption from self-isolation of close contact HSCWs and general advice updated
  • Section 6.1 Admissions: close contact information added
  • Section 6.2 Providing care during COVID-19: information on exemption from self-isolation of close contacts added
  • Section 6.3 Outbreak management: advice updated
  • Section 6.4 Visiting arrangements: advice updated
  • Appendix 2: tables updated with latest information
16 April 2021 - Version 1.8
  • Relevant links to the Scottish COVID-19 Community Health and Care Settings IPC addendum have been added throughout the guidance. IPC advice has been removed from this guidance where necessary following the publication of the Scottish COVID-19 Community Health and Care Settings IPC addendum.
  • Section 2.4. Shielding and protecting people at extremely high risk: shielding text updated.
  • Section 2.7. Immunisation Programme: updated text on vaccination added.
  • Section 3. Preventing spread of infection in Social, Community & Residential Care Settings: updated to contain information and links to new IPC addendum.
  • Section 4: New wording on 90-day testing exemption added.
  • Section 9: Staff who have contact with a case at work: information on 'testing of close contacts' added.
  • Section 9: Staff testing: information on returning travel added.
  • Section 9: Staff who have recovered from COVID-19: text on 90-day testing exemption updated.
  • Section 9: Staff who have been identified as a close contact: information on 'testing of close contacts' added.
  • Section 9: Staff who have been identified as a 'close contact' added, Lateral flow testing added.
  • Section 12: Additional information for specific settings: information added on providing care to individuals in their own home. Further information on residential respite/short break services added.
  • Appendices: removal of Best Practice How To Hand Wash, Putting on and Removing PPE and PPE tables, Decontamination and cleaning processes for facilities with possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and Routine decontamination of reusable non-invasive patient care equipment.
  • Appendix 2: Self-isolation table for cases and contacts updated.
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