First Minister announces plan for domestic vaccine certification

Vaccine passports are to be required for entry to nightclubs and many large events in Scotland from later this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The plans will apply to indoor and outdoor events, and will need to be signed off by MSPs next week.

Ms Sturgeon said the move was needed to help stem the recent surge in the number of cases.

A further 6,107 people have tested positive, with the number of people in hospital doubling in the past 10 days.

And several areas of Scotland are among the regions with the highest rates of the virus in Europe.

The new vaccine certification rules mean people over the age of 18 will need to show they have had both doses of the vaccine before they are allowed entry to:

Nightclubs and adult entertainment venues.
Unseated indoor live events, with more than 500 people in the audience.
Unseated outdoor live events, with more than 4,000 people in the audience.
Any event, of any nature, which has more than 10,000 people in attendance.

Ms Sturgeon said the hospitality industry as a whole would not be included in the certification scheme - although that decision would be kept under review.

And there are no plans to include key services or settings where people have no choice over attendance - such as shops, public transport, education and medical services.

Anyone who has good reasons for not getting fully vaccinated - including children and people with particular medical conditions - will be exempt.

People can already request a paper copy of their vaccination record to allow them to travel, and from Friday they will be provided with a QR code so they can download a copy of the record to keep on their phone.

SCC comment on vaccine certification

Following the statement from the First Minister which raised the possibility that vaccine certifications may be required for entry to nightclubs and many large events in Scotland from later this month, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron, who has written to the First Minister and opposition party leaders to outline businesses concerns, said:

“The prospect of vaccine certification requirements is causing Scotland’s businesses a great level of stress and anxiety and it’s right that this issue will be debated fully in Parliament next week.

“Scotland’s businesses are continuing to go above and beyond what is legally required of them to help halt transmission and keep COVID-19 case numbers to a minimum.

“Businesses operating in the events, nightclub and hospitality sectors urgently need clarity on where vaccine certifications could be required.

“Scotland’s economy is now finally beginning to recover, however the fact remains that many businesses continue to operate in survival mode, and the prospect of economic deterrents such as vaccine certificates, could prove damaging to business and consumer confidence.”

First Minister announces plan for domestic vaccine certification

SCC comment on vaccine certification

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