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Plans on the assessment approach for National courses in 2021-2022 are being considered by the National Qualifications 2021 Group based on the latest public health advice. SQA has also been engaging on assessment modifications for next year with teachers through its National Qualifications Support Teams for each subject. Contingency arrangements will be considered to allow for any further disruption to learning that may occur.

A decision will be made in time to allow schools and colleges to plan for delivery from the start of the 2021-2022 academic session.

Advice from clinicians is to continue to use PCR testing for international travellers coming to Scotland, which is more accurate than other forms of testing. We will consider lateral flow testing further as technology improves and more data is available. Regardless of any testing regime, individuals should be following strict protocols set out to minimise transmission.

For outbound travel, each country has its own requirements for entry and lateral flow test kits may not meet the required standard of test for certain countries. It is the responsibility of the individual to determine what is needed before travelling to another country and we would encourage people to carefully check those requirements before travelling. NHS test kits cannot be used for people travelling to another country to ensure that all testing capacity is used for the benefit of Scotland’s communities.

While it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to meet the new fire and carbon monoxide alarm standard, we have provided over £1m funding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support them to install alarms for people at high risk of fire. In addition, local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide advice and assistance to home owners with work needed to look after their homes, as they are best placed to determine what assistance should be provided in their area. We are continuing to review support people need to make the appropriate changes, including a marketing campaign later in the year to ensure strong awareness of the changes, and we will continue to keep parliament updated.

As Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, I retain responsibility for the Life Sciences sector. Mr Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, has responsibility for other elements of science policy, including universities and research, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) across the education system, and public science engagement.

I refer the member to the recent press release dated 22 May 2021 which is available on the Scottish Government website and can be found at www.gov.scot/news/scotlands-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis-in-india/ .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00023 on 24 May 2021. 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 .

Population estimates of JCVI priority groups were published in the COVID-19 Vaccine deployment plan on 14 January drawing on the latest available data at that point. The variance in the population demographic across Health Board areas for the age groups is not accounted for. The uptake data published by Public Health Scotland against these denominators means it may appear that Lothian are behind, however this is not the case.

NHS Lothian have vaccinated in line with JCVI priority groups according to their available supply. As published data shows, as at 3rd May, 416,325 people (55.1% of the population) in Lothian have received their first dose of vaccine with over 174,822 (23.1% of the population) of those having received their second dose – this is good progress.

Lothian are currently vaccinating priority groups 6 (underlying health conditions and unpaid carers) and 7 (60-64 years). Due to the sizes of these cohorts, vaccination of these groups is ongoing. Lothian are also currently inviting group 10 for vaccination appointments (people aged 40 years or over).

I refer the member to the response to question S5W-35928.

Currently indoor sport and leisure facilities are closed. The indicative date of Monday 26 April for the reopening of indoor sport and leisure facilities have been given the indicative date to reopen. The indicative dates are dependent on continued progress in suppressing the virus and rolling out of vaccines.

We are currently working towards the reopening of Saunas and steam rooms and examining those conditions to do so with the sport and leisure sector, UK Spa Association, Health Protection Scotland and clinicians to ensure that these can be opened in a safe way to protect public health across the various levels framework.

If people receive an invitation letter from NHS Scotland by post, an information leaflet about the COVID-19 vaccine is included. The information leaflet contains details about:

• What vaccine will be given and the disease that will be prevented.
• Benefits/risks of vaccination versus risks of the disease.
• Any new information that has become available since consent to previous doses of this vaccine were given if applicable.
• Any possible vaccine reactions and how to treat these.
• Follow-up/information as to any further doses required.
• How any personal data will be stored and kept.

People are advised to contact the clinicians who manage their clinical conditions, to check that there are no reasons for them not to receive the vaccine. There is time built in to each appointment for information to be shared and questions to be asked and answered, so that the person invited for the vaccine has an opportunity to discuss any further issues or concerns with the trained vaccinator. The vaccine is only given once the person is fully satisfied that they have all the information they need before proceeding.

After vaccination, all patients are given a leaflet to take away called ‘What to expect after the COVID-19 vaccine’. This contains information on common side effects and what to do if they are mild or more severe.