Aberdeen business leaders critical of possible vaccine passport extension
The Scottish Government could today announce intentions to extend the need to prove your vaccine status for entry to venues like pubs, restaurants and cinemas
Last updated 22nd Nov 2021
One in every three young Scots could be locked out of Hospitality venues in new vaccine passport rules are brought in.
That's according to the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of commerce.
Today (Tuesday November 23rd) the First Minister is expected to make an update on what, if any, additions will be made to the vaccine certification scheme from December 6th.
It's thought this could include adding the requirement for people to supply proof of vaccination when entering a pub, restaurant or even a cinema.
Currently these requirements are only needed in nightclubs and large scale events, such as football matches with over 10,000 people in attendance.
Other measures such as a return to table service in hospitality, caps on venue capacity and even the reintroduction of curfews could be on the agenda.
This is as the Scottish Government seek to keep Covid cases under control throughout Christmas.
But the Chamber of Commerce claims the Government's own paper making the case for further restrictions, doesn't make a good argument, and that 31% of those 18 to 29-years-old won't have the required certification in a fortnights time.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: “Businesses have been clear that vaccine certification acts as an economic deterrent, placing additional cost on businesses with no additional support from government to help them meet the costs, and there remains little evidence that the scheme is effective in reducing transmission.
“The suggestions of a return to table service in hospitality, caps on venue capacity and the reintroduction of curfews would in reality mean a return to an economic, if not social, lockdown which would cause severe economic harm to Scotland’s businesses at a critical point in their recovery.”
It's also stated by the evidence paper that those businesses already operating the passport scheme have seen revenue dropping by up to 50%.
Mr Borthwick added: “This report offers no conclusive proof that any of the additional measures proposed will effectively achieve the objectives of suppressing the spread of the virus or drive-up vaccination levels from an already very high mark. Specifically, the report states that information on the effectiveness of the current vaccine passport scheme is incomplete. So why is an extension being considered?"