Businesses fear Covid vaccine passports for pubs, restaurants and cinemas
The First Minister is making an announcement at Holyrood
Scotland's hospitality sector is waiting to find out whether Nicola Sturgeon will extend the coronavirus vaccine passport scheme to help combat rising numbers of infections.
The First Minister and her cabinet will consider if such further restrictions are necessary when they meet on Tuesday, with Ms Sturgeon to update Holyrood on their decisions in the afternoon.
Business leaders, however, have claimed almost two-thirds of firms are opposed to the measures being considered, fearing they could "place thousands of firms and jobs at risk".
A total of 65% of companies surveyed for Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) were against vaccine passports being used more in the hospitality and leisure sectors, together with increased home working and greater use of face coverings.
The poll, which almost 700 firms took part in, also found that a quarter (24%) of businesses face "severe financial consequences" if vaccine passports and home-working measures are widened.
SCC chief executive Liz Cameron warned: "Any reintroduction of restrictions will act as a painful economic deterrent for businesses across Scotland.
"We urge ministers not to take a massive step backwards in our economic recovery from the pandemic which would place thousands of firms and jobs at risk."
Ms Cameron insisted: "It is critical that our economic recovery does not lag behind that of competitors across the globe.
"Going backwards at this stage will put our recovery at risk, create further uncertainty and undermine consumer confidence."
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Covid cases rising again
Her comments come after Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith warned recently that the country was "now in a period of growth of Covid-19 cases again".
Deputy First Minister John Swinney revealed last week that Scottish Government is considering extending the vaccine certification scheme - already in place in nightclubs and at other large events - to more parts of the hospitality and leisure sector.
Mr Swinney stressed a decision has not yet been made but said Covid-19 was at a "concerningly high level" and Scotland is in a "precarious and unpredictable" position.
He added that ministers were also considering steps to increase home working and "whether changes are needed to extend use of face coverings".
A Scottish Government spokesman said no decision had yet been taken about any forthcoming changes.