For your own safety please check the latest guidance about COVID-19 from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government and if you have coronavirus symptoms please go to this NHS page.

The Scottish Government has published a Framework for decision making regarding and a Routemap for lifting the lockdown restrictions.

Please remember about your mental health during the self-isolation time. Learn how to manage your anxiety from the Very Well Mind website.

If you need support or would like to provide support for people in need, look for your local volunteering group here.

On this Government website, you can also learn how to get support during the coronavirus lockdown if you’re a migrant living in the UK.

The Scottish Government has published a Covid-19 Routemap explaining different phases of easing the restrictions and detailed recommendations for each of the phases.

You can read the full document here.

The newest statement from the Home Office about the impact of Coronavirus on EU Settlement Scheme services:

• The Settlement Resolution Centre is now fully reopened for both phone and email queries.
• The postal route for submitting identity evidence is also reopened.
• The ID document scanner locations are still suspended at this time following the latest public health guidance to protect staff but are due to reopen soon as well.
• Individuals can still use the “EU Exit ID Document check app” to complete the identity stage of their application.

Although our office is closed, we are still able to help you with your pre-settled and settled status application!

Do you have Coronavirus symptoms or do you live with someone who has:

• a high temperature or fever
• a new continuous cough
• a loss of, or change in sense of smell or taste?

Find out more about your symptoms, when you can use self-care, and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help by using the Self-help guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you (in one of your household) have developed symptoms stay at home for 10 days from the start of your symptoms and arrange to be tested. Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus should be tested.

Do you need to access the testing center? 

There are drive-through testing sites at:

• Glasgow airport;
• Edinburgh airport;
• Aberdeen airport;
• Prestwick airport;
• Dudhope Castle, Dundee;
• University of the Highlands and Islands campus, Inverness.

There are also a number of mobile testing units across Scotland.

Home testing kits are also available and come with comprehensive instructions to guide you through administering the swab yourself. These kits are delivered and collected by Amazon and Royal Mail, and they do not have access to the results or any health data (source: https://www.nhsinform.scot/)

Need to self-isolate?

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you must isolate. This includes:

• before your test
• while you are waiting for your test result

Who needs to self-isolate?

• Everyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19;
• Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19;
• People who live in the same household as a person with symptoms;
• Everyone who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19;
• Everyone who has been identified by NHS contact tracers as having been in close contact with a person with a confirmed case.

It is extremely important to self-isolate as the virus can be spread very easily. Don’t go to the hospital, to your GP, or to the pharmacy.

You can call 111 if one of your symptoms get worse or you develop new symptoms such as:

• Severe thirst and peeing less
• Light-headedness or weakness
• New, severe muscle cramps
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath that’s new or worsening

If you need support but cannot get this from friends or family, phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000) or textphone (0800 111 4114). The helpline is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

For Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice in other languages – please follow the links:

• Spanish

• Romanian

• Polish

• Slovak

NHS Scotland designed and developed the Trace and Protect App to help us to protect each other and reduce the spread of coronavirus. Trace and Protect is a free mobile app. The app will alert you if you have been in contact with another app user who was tested positive for coronavirus.

The app can be downloaded from the App Store or from Google Play

A leaflet and step-by-step guide to Test and Protect is also available in a range of languages and formats (Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak) on the https://www.gov.scot/

If you are affected by Coronavirus (COVID 19) or its effect on the economy, you are able to claim benefits even if you are not a UK citizen.

The EU citizens are still able to claim benefits if they can demonstrate their application under EU Settlement Scheme.

• Are you earning less than usual? 

• Have you lost your job or been made redundant?

• Have you stopped being self-employed?

Check the support available for you with Universal Credit and contact the nearest JobCentre.

Are you

• on a temporary contract?
• on a zero-hours contract?
• an agency worker?
• employed by more than 1 company, and you have been furloughed?

You can be paid 80% of your normal pay up to a maximum of £2,500 a month

Find out more about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further-economic-support-announced 

Don’t forget!

• Face coverings,
• Avoid crowded places.
• Clean hands regularly.
• Two meters distance.
• Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.