(Source: BBC News)
Children under the age of five with potential coronavirus symptoms will be eligible for testing from Wednesday.
Currently, a test is only carried out if there is a "pressing clinical need" to do so.
This includes when young children are admitted to hospital or for young patients in hospital whose condition unexpectedly deteriorates. Routine tests will now be available at drive-in and mobile testing units or by ordering a home test kit.
Scotland's Interim Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith, said the move was in light of "the continued change in lockdown restrictions and the resumption of early learning and childcare".
He added: "We want to avoid households having to isolate unnecessarily if young children in their family are displaying coronavirus-like symptoms, which can be common in this age group. "I would encourage anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19, or whose child has symptoms, to get a test immediately to help us suppress the spread of the virus."
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