Fears over-70s will face four months indoors

Scotland won’t impose social isolation on the elderly, after leaked UK government briefings indicated such a plan is set to be imposed across Britain.

Details emerged that people aged over 70 will be told to stay in strict isolation at home or in care homes for four months, to separate them from the wider population amidst the covid-19 pandemic.

Charities and campaigners fear enforcing isolation of older people would cut many off completely leading to increased mental health problems and vulnerability.

However Jeane Freeman, Scotland’s health secretary, said the Scottish Government was not planning on isolating the elderly but would instead be asking them to reduce social contact.

Freeman said: "The additional measures that we've always talked about are about reducing contact for those over 70 and in their eighties, asking them to reduce their social contact because they are one of the groups who are most at risk of this virus making them seriously ill.

"The other group is people who have underlying health conditions whose immune system is suppressed.

"It's not isolation, it's asking them to reduce social contact.

"We don't want people who are elderly to be stuck in their homes alone not contacting anyone, with their families not able to be in touch with them and to help them.

"What we’re saying to them is, reduce your contact."

Self-isolation would mean people would be required to remain at home without visitors, and with essential supplies dropped off for them on their doorsteps.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "It is a very big ask of the elderly and vulnerable, but it is for their own protection."

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK reached 1,140 on Saturday, with 37,746 people being tested. All 21 deaths so far have been of people aged over 60, with underlying health conditions.

The government plans to introduce the next phase of interventions soon, and will publish the data and models which have informed decision-making.