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Concerns raised over the rising number of Covid-19 cases in South Glasgow over the past several days and its links to the more infectious Indian variant of COVID-19 B.1.617.2.

The JCVI highlighted the need to accelerate and promote vaccine uptake for everyone within priority groups 1-9 who have yet to be vaccinated, and bring forward the dose schedule from 12 to 8 weeks in areas where the 02 variant is of the highest threat.

The JCVI’s advice is that an age-based approach is the best way to quickly protect those who haven’t yet had the vaccine.

Wind and weather information in respect of the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge are published on a daily basis at https://www.theforthbridges.org/plan-your-journey/wind-and-weather/ . Historical records are available on request at enquiries@bearscotland.co.uk .

Testing for people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms was made available to everyone in Scotland on 26 April. Everyone can now access free lateral flow devices (LFD), for testing at home twice a week. To get a LFD test you can:

• order an LFD test kit pack online at GOV.UK for home delivery
• collect a test kit from your nearest COVID-19 test site , by applying the “pick up sites for test kits” filter on the site finder.

As announced at the launch of the universally accessible testing offer, we continue to explore other options for increasing accessibility of testing across Scotland including the option to collect LFD test kit from pharmacies. I expect to be in a position to confirm these arrangements shortly.

The Scottish Testing Programme is kept under constant review in line with the latest clinical and scientific advice.

The contracts for the Central and South lots of the Reaching 100% (R100) programme were signed on 16 December 2019. Contract signature for the North lot was completed on 11 December 2020, following dismissal of a legal challenge which had delayed contract signature.

As outlined in the response to S6W-00008 on 24 May 2021, the Scottish Government provided Openreach with a finalised speed and coverage template (or SCT) for the R100 North lot contract at the end of March 2021, which covers both the Highlands and the north east of Scotland. The remodelling exercise to finalise their coverage footprint is ongoing and will be subject to rigorous review through Scottish Government governance and assurance structures, and those of Building Digital UK (BDUK). The full picture across the R100 North lot contract area is expected to be available by Summer 2021.

The roll-out of R100 build in the North lot – and the associated survey work – will be completed in phases, and build plans will be reflected in our online checker at scotlandsuperfast.com.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government greatly values the work of Scotland’s offshore workers and have been in regular discussions with Oil and Gas UK throughout this pandemic. Scottish Government appreciates and values the work that offshore workers are doing in what can be difficult circumstances.

The order in which people will be offered the vaccine in Scotland is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The Scottish Government is vaccinating in line JCVI priority as quickly as supply allows us to do so.

Decisions to prioritise one population group over another are not taken lightly, nor are they straightforward. That is why prioritisation decisions are guided by the independent expert advice from the JCVI. Currently there is a mass vaccination centre open at the P&J Live at TECA in Aberdeen. If any offshore worker cannot attend their appointment, they should contact the helpline to reschedule.

Current JCVIadvice does not cover vaccination in those under 18 years old, so far only 16 and 17 years olds in groups 1-9 are covered.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that only those children at very high risk of exposure and serious outcomes, such as older children with severe neuro-disabilities that require residential care, should be offered vaccination with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the AstraZeneca vaccine. We will continue to review our approach in line with JCVI advice.

Clinical trials are currently underway for vaccination of children and young people.

We will continue to engage with vaccine developers, and the JCVI so that if trials are successful we are ready to vaccinate younger age groups, if that is what the clinical and scientific evidence supports.

Under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, as amended - close contact services, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine Services (CAMS) - which includes acupuncture - generally must not operate in Level 4 areas at this time.

The only close contact services which may operate in Level 4 areas at this time are sports massage provided to professional sportspersons, osteopathy and chiropractic services, and “other services or procedures which require physical contact or close physical proximity between a provider and a customer” and are “ancillary to medical, health, or social care services”. Close contact services (excluding mobile close contact service) may operate in Level 3 areas. Mobile close contact services may operate in Level 1 areas.

Our Strategic Framework sets out how we plan to restore, in a phased way, greater normality to our everyday lives.

To minimise the risk of viral introduction to a care home from residents transferring in, all resident transfers must complete a total of 14 days of isolation either starting on or including the date of transfer in addition to the testing required.

In addition, all symptomatic or COVID-19 diagnosed residents in the care home should be isolated immediately for 14 days from the date of symptom onset (or date of first positive test if symptom onset undetermined).

In terms of support and reassurance to families and their loved ones, there are care practices to ensure that people are supported during this period of isolation. Essential visits are a further option for both relatives and residents, if there are concerns about wellbeing or distress, for example during the 14 day period.

The latest guidance from Health Protection Scotland supports those working in care home settings and was published on 31 December 2020. It sets out measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and how to provide care for individuals as safely as possible, including those completing a period of isolation. The guidance is available at: COVID-19: Information and Guidance for Care Home Settings (Adults and Older People) (windows.net) .

The 14 day period will remain in place for the immediate future and like all clinical guidance is continually reviewed to take account of the emerging picture around COVID-19.

The Treatment Time Guarantee was established through the Patent Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 and sets out the maximum waiting time that eligible patients should wait for agreed treatment to begin - which is 12 weeks.

To support Elective Care during COVID19 I published the Clinical Prioritisation Framework which sits alongside section 8(3) and (4) of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 which continues to require NHS Boards to take all reasonably available steps to ensure they are compliant with the treatment time guarantee (TTG). These steps include appropriately prioritising the start of the patient's treatment taking account of their clinical needs, and the clinical needs of other eligible patients, in accordance with the treatment time guarantee.

As announced by Crown Estate Scotland on 11 February, the review is targeted for completion by 24 March 2021. Crown Estate Scotland plan to outline the conclusions of the review at that time and will set out any implications for the revised timetable.