Advice For Visitors coming to Orkney and Shetland - June 2021

We are working hard to keep our island communities safe from Covid and we ask you, as a visitor, to take care and help us. 

Both NHS Shetland and NHS Orkney are made up of small teams who have worked tirelessly over the last 15 months to contain the pandemic and keep our communities safe. But a surge in Covid cases puts the local health service, and other support services, under huge strain.  

In Shetland and Orkney our hospital facilities have no Intensive Care Units, if anyone required intensive care facilities, or other specialist clinical services, for Covid then they would have to be transferred by air ambulance to a mainland hospital, more than likely in Aberdeen. 

To reduce the risk of unknowingly bringing Covid into our islands, please ensure that you take the following precautions before you travel: 

We ask that you: 

• Complete a lateral flow device (LFD) test three days before you travel; 
• Repeat this again on the day of travel; 

• Delay your trip and book a PCR test if your LFD test is positive – even if you have no symptoms; 
• Delay your trip, self-isolate and book a PCR test if you have Covid symptoms (new continuous cough or high temperature or loss/ change in sense of taste or smell). 

When you arrive and move around our islands please follow the Public Health guidance to keep us all safe. 

This includes:

• • • • Wearing a face-covering where required;
      • Social distancing where required;   
      • Washing hands;   
      • Meeting with others outside, if you can;  
      • Ensuring good ventilation if indoors;   
      • Ensuring you have been vaccinated if eligible;   
      • Doing regular lateral flow tests if you have no symptoms.   

Orkney 

Should you develop Covid symptoms while in Orkney, please immediately self-isolate and call the Covid Assessment Centre on 0300 303 9545 and you will be advised what to do. 

For more information go to: https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/ 

Shetland 

If you develop Covid symptoms in Shetland immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test by going to www.shb.scot.nhs.uk. Follow the button to the referral form.  

More Shetland specific Covid information can be found at: https://www.coronavirus.shetland.nhs.scot/  

In both health boards if you become ill and need medical intervention, please call 111 or, for an emergency, 999. Do not visit a health centre or go to A&E if you have Covid symptoms. 

Useful Links  

• For advice please visit NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19 
• Accessing rapid LFD tests: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-get-a-test-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms 
•  

Scottish Government Travel  guidance: 

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-travel-and-transport/