Council Leaders have urged people to take care and carry out regular testing as COVID cases remain high in the Capital.
The appeal follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister, in which she called for “renewed care and vigilance” at this critical moment. This week, Edinburgh and the Lothians recorded the highest number of COVID cases in Scotland.
In response to the high numbers, several community test centres have opened around the city over recent weeks. Free COVID tests are on offer for people who don’t display any symptoms, aiming to break the chain of transmission by catching asymptomatic cases which could still be infectious.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The city is beginning to open up, returning a sense of normality to our daily lives, but we really must continue to take care by continuing to wash hands and using sanitiser regularly and physical distancing when out enjoying all our city and its businesses has to offer.
“With the weather still getting better, continuing to meet up with friends and family outdoors where possible can help drive the numbers down and keep the freedoms we’re starting to enjoy again.
“Regular testing is vital too if we are to catch and isolate cases, and I would urge everyone to make use of community test centres and order your free home testing kits to check if you could have COVID even if you don’t have symptoms.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Over the last 15 months we’ve all worked really hard to minimise the impact of the COVID virus, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during this time.
“That’s why it’s crucial that we don’t let our guard down now so I would encourage everyone to take up their vaccination when offered. We need to keep following the rules put in place for good reason, as well as getting tested when possible, to reduce the rising case rate and to ensure we can enjoy a more ‘normal’ summer.”
Community test centres are open for people with no COVID-19 symptoms:
- Walk-up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, until Sunday, 11 July
- Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the east stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place until Sunday, 11 July
- McDonald Road Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
- Wester Hailes Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
- Fountainbridge Library from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
- Drumbrae Library Hub from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
Find out more about Council services during the pandemic on the Council website.
Read more about the daily COVID vaccination uptake online.