Amelia Cutting
From October 1st, people in Scotland will need proof that they have been fully vaccinated before entering nightclubs and other large events.
The plan was formally approved by Holyrood, with the Greens and the SNP voting 68 to 55 in favour of it.
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, said the system would reduce the risk of transmission, preventing venues – many of which have only just reopened, from having to close again due to Covid cases.
What does this rule mean exactly?
The vaccine plan means that people over 18 in Scotland will need to show that they have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine before they are allowed entry to:
- Nightclubs
- Adult entertainment venues
- Unseated indoor live events of more than 500 people
- Unseated outdoor live events of more than 4,000 people
- Any event of any nature that has more than 10,000 people in attendance
The capacity rules mean that many major sporting events, such as football matches, will be affected. The same applies to concerts and music festivals.
Why has this decision been made?
“we all recognise the need to try all we can to protect the return to greater normality that we have experienced in recent weeks.”
One of the major goals of the vaccination scheme is to encourage young people to get vaccinated. Latest figures show that the uptake of adults under 40 in Scotland is lower than older age groups.
Mr Swinney said that Scotland’s position in regard to Covid is ‘fragile’, telling MSP’s that, “we all recognise the need to try all we can to protect the return to greater normality that we have experienced in recent weeks.”
He notes it will also protect vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated: “On balance – given the benefits to individuals, to the health of the population, and as a way to keep certain venues and events open – a certification scheme is a proportionate step to take.”
Opposing views
Mr Swinney had previously been critical of vaccine passports when England proposed it, as had Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, and the SNP’s partner in government, the Greens.
Patrick Harvie, Greens’ co-leader, said the facts had changed, meaning the scheme was “worth considering when cases are running at around 7,000 a day and once the entire adult population has had two doses.”
Leon Thompson of UK Hospitality Scotland told BBC Scotland that there had been “very rushed and hurried conversations with officials” in recent days, with members ‘very concerned’ about practicalities of the plans.
The Scottish Tories also voted against the proposals, despite the Conservative UK government planning to implement a similar scheme.
Scottish labour also opposed the plans. Jackie Baillie, deputy leader, said there was a “practical question about the government’s ability to even implement this.”
She notes, people who have been double vaccinated could still have the virus and transmit it to others. Saying Ministers were in danger of leading people to believe they were ‘invincible’ if they have a vaccination passport.
Alex Cole-Hamilton said his Scottish Liberal Democrats ‘fundamentally opposed the plans’, adding that:
“Medical ID cards will be introduced by this coalition tonight, and liberals will immediately begin the campaign to see their abolition.”
How will people in Scotland prove they have been vaccinated?
A certificate with a QR code, or a paper one with the same code, can already be accessed by people who have been double jabbed.
By the end of September, it is expected that the code will also be available for use on a new app – NHS Scotland Status.
The codes will be scanned at any venue to prove that the user is double vaccinated.
What about other venues?
The Scottish government has said there are no plans at present to introduce vaccine passports for the wider hospitality industry. However this will be kept under review over the coming seasons.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf also said that vaccine passports will ‘only be used in certain higher risk settings’ in the hope this will allow businesses to remain open and prevent autumn/winter restrictions being enforced.
Featured image courtesy of waldomiguez via Pixabay. Image licence can be found here. No changes or alternations have been made to this image.
Amelia Cutting
I'm Amelia- a graduate from the University of Leeds and current NCTJ Level 5 Diploma student!