Nicola Sturgeon has backed away from extending vaccine passports to pubs, restaurants and cinemas.
The First Minister claimed increasing the scope of the scheme would not be “proportionate” as covid cases have stabilised.
She also said from December 6th people would be able to access venues currently covered by the scheme, such as nightclubs and football stadiums, by producing a recent negative lateral flow test result.
The SNP Government introduced vaccine passports for access to nightclubs and large events as a way of driving up the uptake of covid jabs.
Ministers have been debating whether to extend the scheme over Christmas, but Sturgeon today announced this will not happen.
She said vaccine certification would remain in place for existing venues for at least a further three week period, but said:
“Cabinet also considered the possible extension of the scheme to a much wider range of premises, including indoor theatres, cinemas and hospitality venues.
“Let me stress, this was a very, very finely balanced decision.
“However, I can confirm that at this stage we have decided not to extend the scope of the scheme.
“We have taken account of the fact that - although our situation is precarious - cases are currently stable and indeed slightly declining; and we have considered the inevitable impact vaccine certification has on the operation of businesses; and concluded that, at this stage, extension would not be proportionate.”
She said of existing venues covered by the scheme: "We have decided that from 6 December it will be possible to access venues or events covered by the scheme by showing either proof of vaccination, as now, or a recent negative lateral flow test result.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
