Scotland's vaccine certification scheme comes into force by the end of this week.
This means Scots attending nightclubs, bars, football matches and other large events may be asked for proof of their vaccine status before entering a venue.
The First Minister announced yesterday that the NHS Covid Status App will go live later this week to allow Scots to download and prepare before certification becomes law.
However, there will be a 'grace period' before vaccine passports are legally enforced in Scotland.
Here is everything you need to know.
NHS Covid Status App
The vaccine certification scheme will become law this Friday - October 1 - with the vaccine passport app set to go be available on Thursday September 30.
The app will provide digital proof of vaccination with a QR code for each dose of the vaccine received.
When asked for proof of vaccine status, Scots will be able to have the QR code from their phone's scanned.
Alternatively, a paper copy of your vaccine record can be requested. The paper pass will include special features to prevent it from being forged.
A QR code for each dose is also provided on the paper copy.
Apple users can download the app here, while Android users can get it here.
NHS Covid Check App
The NHS Covid Check app is just for venues and businesses and will be used to scan customer vaccine certificates.
Staff at venues which require vaccine passports will download the app, which is a QR code verifier app.
You can then show your QR code to a staff member upon entry, who will scan it using the verifier.
This NHS Covid Check App has gone live and is available for download.
When will vaccine passports become law?
Nicola Sturgeon explained that the Scottish Government will afford businesses a 'grace period' before checking vaccine certification is legally enforced.
Until October 18, vaccine certification will be law but will not be legally enforced.
This gives venues, businesses and event organisers the chance - a total of 17 days - to get to grips with vaccine certification.
Some venues - such as nightclubs and bars - as well as smaller events will be required to check every attendees' vaccine status.
However, the Scottish Government also confirmed that larger-scale events will not check every vaccine pass.
Instead, a 'spot check' approach will be taken.
What will vaccine passports be required for?
From Friday, October 1, proof of vaccination status is needed for:
- Nightclubs and similar nightlife venues
Live indoor seating events of more than 500 people
Outdoor unseated events of more than 4,000 people
Any event with more than 10,000 people in attendance
Late night venues definition
Last week, the First Minister defined which venues will be classed as 'nightclubs' for the purpose of vaccine certification.
Nightclubs are defined as venues open between midnight and 5am, serving alcohol after midnight, playing live or recorded music with a dance floor that is in use.
Businesses and organisers hosting larger scale events will be asked to carry out "a reasonable number of checks".
This "spot check" approach will be used at football matches, gigs and festivals.
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