Calls for Scottish Government to reverse vaccine passport plans over fears it's not effective
Stephen Montgomery from the Scottish Hospitality Group says his own experience explains why it's not fit for purpose.
Last updated 13th Sep 2021
The First Minister's being urged to u-turn on the decision to introduce vaccine passports in Scotland for access to large scale events, over fears they're not effective.
It comes after Boris Johnston announced plans have been scrapped to bring in the policy in England.
Stephen Montgomery from the Scottish Hospitality Group says if he'd relied on a vaccine passport for an event last week - it could have been dangerous for everyone there.
Stephen said: "Because I was supposed to go to an event last Tuesday, I tested myself on Monday and failed three lateral flow tests.
"If I'd had covid certification, I could have been at that event and spread that around because I have had zero symptoms - absolutely no symptoms at all.
"What proof or good would that have done? A lateral flow test stopped me going to that event.
"I think that's proof that covid certification is a policy which is being derived based on zero evidence."
"If I'd had covid certification, I could have been at that event and spread that around"
The hospitality spokesman added the plans won't work effectively for people from other countries.
He said: "Now that England have scrubbed the possibility of using vaccine passports, Scotland should follow suit.
"We already know that it would have complications and this just adds to it.
"Students who come up to Scotland to study from England who won't have the passport, some people have had one jab in Scotland and one in England and can't get a covid certification.
"A lateral flow test stopped me going to that event"
"What about our tourists? 70% of people who go to nightclubs go spontaneously, so how do we do that as well?"
As things stand, from October 1, the vaccine passport scheme will be introduced in Scotland, meaning a QR code will be available through a smart phone app - along with a paper alternative for those who need it.
This will be scanned before entry is allowed to nightclubs or similar venues, adult entertainment, unseated indoor events with more than 500 people, outdoor unseated events with more than 4,000 people or any event with more than 10,000 in attendance.
Mr Montgomery also raised concerns over the added work for staff and concerns over what tools will be used to scan QR codes.
He said: "Businesses are going to have to incur the costs of the extra labour force behind this, and the extra hardware that we'll have to have, because I for sure will not be expecting or allowing my staff to use their own mobile phones to read a QR code."