The uptake of vaccination in Orkney against Covid19 has been hugely successful.

As of 28th May 2021, 10,122 (96.6%) of those aged 50+ have had their first dose and 7,997 (76.3%) have had both doses.

The uptake has been similar across Scotland.

In Scotland 3,215,770 (72.3%) people (age 18+) have received the first dose of the Covid vaccine and 1,998,409 ( 45%) have received their second dose.

With the easing of restrictions – except for Glasgow which is still at Level 3 – there has been an increase in cases in many parts of Scotland. If the situation in Glasgow stabilises then it will move to Level 2 on Saturday 5th June.

Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, all islands in Highland (except Skye) and the Argyll and Bute islands of Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree and Ulva are at Level 1. The rest of Scotland is at Level 2.

The stats for Scotland as at 29th of May are:

• 583 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 24,532 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
  • 2.5% of these were positive
• 0 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive

There are still travel restrictions between Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and certain local authority areas in England.

Travel to and from Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, and Bolton in England is only allowed for permitted reasons from Monday 24 May 2021, for example for work or education. 

The advice – whether or not you are fully vaccinated – remains –

• wear a face covering
• avoid crowded places
• clean hands and surfaces regularly
• stay 2m away from other people
• self-isolate and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• download the Protect Scotland app

Rapid lateral flow tests are also available to anyone in Scotland who does not have symptoms.

You need to be 18 or over to collect or order the test kits. Anyone aged 12 to 17 should ask an adult to collect or order a test kit for them, they should then self-test and report their result under adult supervision. It is not recommended to regularly test children who go to primary school, or who are younger than primary school age.

Order online for home delivery

• order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests on gov.uk for home delivery

Your order will contain one pack with seven LFD tests inside, and it will be delivered to your home in one to two days. You can only order one pack per household each day.

If you’re ordering for another household in addition to your own household, you should:

• complete a separate order
• use their personal details including name, address, date of birth and email address

If you cannot place an order online, you can order by calling 119.

Collect a rapid LFD test kit from your nearest COVID-19 test site

• find your nearest COVID-19 test site where LFD tests can be collected

Up to two packs of seven LFD tests can be collected per household. If you are collecting for multiple people, up to four packs of seven LFD tests can be collected.

You can collect your packs of LFD tests from a COVID-19 test site between 3.30pm to 8pm. You do not need to book an appointment.

People visiting the islands of Scotland are requested to take 2 rapid lateral flow tests before travelling.

You should not access rapid LFD tests in this way if:

• you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days
• you can get tested through your workplace or education setting (ask them for rapid LFD tests)
• you need to take a test for international travel