Moray SNP News

MSP URGES VIGILANCE OVER CORONAVIRUS

26/02/2020

Richard Lochhead MSP is urging constituents to be vigilant and follow public health advice for coronavirus.

The Scottish Government yesterday published new guidance and updated travel advice for people returning from overseas.

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:

• high temperature or fever

• cough

• shortness of breath

Updates on public health advice for coronavirus can be found on the NHS Inform website, and a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816.

Commenting Moray’s SNP MSP said:

“While all tests in Scotland have so far been negative, the Scottish Government has put plans in place to ensure a rapid response should a case of Coronavirus be confirmed.

“It is extremely important that people are vigilant and that anyone in Moray returning from overseas follows the advice that has been issued by the Chief Medical Officer.

“Early detection will be vital to ensuring that the virus is contained and to stop it from spreading, so it’s essential that folk take the same precautions they would to avoid a cold or the flu, for example washing their hands and covering their nose and mouth when coughing.

“If there’s anyone who has returned to the UK from the countries listed in the travel guidance they should follow advice to remain indoors and should they experience any of the symptoms of Coronavirus they should contact NHS 24 as soon as possible, even if their symptoms are mild.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Update advice to travellers returning from overseas is below.

Anyone who has arrived in the UK from these areas since 19 February is advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people, even if they do not have symptoms, and phone their GP or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.

• Iran

• specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy as designated by the Government of Italy

• special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea

• the Hubei province in China

For South Korea, anyone who visited the two cities at the centre of the outbreak, Daegu and Cheongdo, is advised to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms.

For Iran, all returning travellers are requested to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

For northern Italy, all travellers returning from specific lockdown areas identified by the Italian Government are advised to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

Any other travellers returning from parts of Italy north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini in the past week are asked to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Anyone who has travelled to the UK from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is also now advised to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Background

The latest numbers of test results are published at 2pm each day on the Scottish Government website.

For anyone who is planning to travel abroad, guidance can be found on fitfortravel. Where a COVID-19 risk is identified, country pages will be updated.