A new £25 million fund to help businesses improve their ventilation systems will open for applications next week, the Scottish government has announced.

Small and medium-sized businesses will be able to claim back costs of up to £2,500 to undertake work such as the installation of carbon dioxide monitors and remedial improvement work to windows and vents.

Businesses will be able to fill in a self-assessment form to receive advice on improving their current ventilation systems and identify if they are eligible for financial support from their local authority.

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Effective ventilation is a key public health measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading and is of increasing importance during autumn and winter as people spend more time indoors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "In September we announced the establishment of a £25 million fund to help businesses improve ventilation. This fund opens for applications next week. More information on eligibility has now been published on the Find Business Support website.

"All of these basic mitigation measures are really important at this stage but some of them are also valuable long-term investments. For example, better ventilation won't just reduce the spread of Covid – it will also help reduce the spread of other airborne viruses, now and in the future."