Scotland to introduce vaccine passports

Scotland residents will present vaccination certification when entering certain venues from later this month.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon will ask Scotland residents to present vaccination certification when entering certain venues from later this month.

While addressing parliament, Sturgeon proposed that vaccine passports should be presented before entering nightclubs and adult entertainment venues, as well as unseated indoor live events with more than 500 people in the audience.

"We don’t currently consider it appropriate to introduce certification for the hospitality industry as a whole, and we hope that will not be necessary," says Sturgeon. "However, we will keep that under review."

If the plans go ahead, Scots who are over 18 and eligible for vaccination will be required to show that they have received both doses of the vaccine before entry to certain premises and events.

From this Friday (3 September), the Scottish government will provide a QR code to those who are fully vaccinated, meaning they will be able to download a copy of their vaccination record to keep on a phone or print off.

Industry reaction

“Today’s announcement that the Scottish government plans to introduce vaccine certification for access to nightclubs and events is a move which will cause dismay among businesses which have only recently been able to reopen," says UKHospitality Scotland executive director Leon Thompson.

“The fact that there has been no attempt to engage with the sector ahead of this announcement is extremely concerning. Nightclubs and event organisers will be on the frontline of implementing this policy and representatives need an opportunity to ask questions of the Scottish government’s plans before they are put to the Scottish parliament for approval.

“While the introduction of certification is envisaged as limited for now, if extended, the impact on wider hospitality could be immense. This cannot be the thin end of the wedge, especially when no evidence has been produced to indicate that nightclubs, events or indeed any other hospitality settings are responsible for the rising number of Covid-19 cases.”


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