As we move towards the beginning of the formal exam period on Tuesday, we know centres may have questions around public health guidance in relation to COVID-19.<\/p>\n
This email provides advance information on the Scottish Government\u2019s public health guidance, which is set to change in Scotland from 1 May, as well as an update on the Examination Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service.<\/p>\n
Public Health Guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n For exams taking place before 1 May, the\u00a0current public health guidance<\/a><\/u>\u00a0remains in place with PCR testing available for individuals who are symptomatic, and contact tracing and isolation guidance also remaining in place. Population wide asymptomatic testing (LFD universal offer) ended in mid-April, including in schools.<\/p>\n What is changing from 1 May?<\/strong><\/p>\n From 1 May, advice to people with respiratory symptoms including COVID-19 will change in Scotland in line with the\u00a0Test and Protect Transition Plan<\/a><\/u>\u00a0published on 15 March 2022. The general public will no longer be advised to seek a test if symptomatic.<\/p>\n From 1 May, people with symptoms of respiratory illness in Scotland, including COVID-19, will be asked to follow general public health guidance which will be available on 1 May. As set out on the\u00a0Public Health Scotland website<\/a><\/u>, this new guidance will be published on\u00a0NHS Inform<\/a><\/u>\u00a0and will broadly align with the current\u00a0UKHSA \u2018Stay at Home\u2019 Advice<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n Information for parents, carers and learners<\/strong><\/p>\n We understand that parents and carers may be anxious about the impact public health guidance may have on whether learners should attend exams if they feel unwell, and we know that many will look to you for advice. To that end we encourage you to use the following information with your networks:<\/p>\n