Scottish Government propose 'limited' vaccine passports
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has proposed a vote next week on vaccine certification to be required for entry to nightclubs, among other events.
Last updated 1st Sep 2021
Vaccine certification, also known as vaccine passports, could be introduced for 'limited' venues and events in Scotland.
In an update to the Scottish Parliament today, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon proposed a debate and vote next week.
This would see people having to prove their vaccine status to get into nightclubs or attend unseated indoor events with more than 500 people, or outdoor unseated events with more than 4,000.
It would also apply to any event, of any nature, which has more than 10,000 people in attendance.
People will be able to download a copy of their vaccination record to keep on phones or print off.
QR codes will be provided from Friday.
There are currently no plans to introduce certification for the wider hospitality industry but this will be kept under review over the autumn and winter months.
Earlier in her speech the First Minister noted that the increasing spread of Covid is "extremely concerning".
She said whilst the Scottish Government still do not want to reimpose any restrictions, not even on a limited basis, but couldn't rule out doing so if figures continue to spike like they have been.
She told MSPs the number of new cases is 80% higher than last week and five times higher than four weeks ago.
The First Minister suggested a rise in infections had been expected, in part due to the return of schools, but said: "Despite expecting to see some increase in cases, the scale of the increase in recent weeks has been extremely concerning.
"There is no doubt that this underlines the fact that the Delta variant is significantly more transmissible than previous strains.''
The Scottish Government believes continue focus on the vaccine is the way to avoid Covid impacts becoming worse. With certification having a key part to play.
The First Minister said: The Scottish Government has made it clear that we do not believe that vaccination certification should ever be a requirement for any key services or in settings where people have no choice over attendance - for example, public transport, education, access to medical services or shops. We continue to hold to that position.
"But we do consider that a limited use of vaccine certification could help to control the spread of the virus, as we head into the autumn and winter.
"For any decision of this nature to have an impact before winter, we would have to take and implement it quickly.''