Nicola Sturgeon is set to expand controversial Covid vaccine passports in Scotland to pubs, cinemas and theatres.
Expect the First Minister to expand Covid’s ID card scheme, which is currently only for large venues and nightclubs, to include a variety of hospitality companies. A briefing for Holyrood will take place at 2pm
All changes to the current Covid restrictions for Scotland will be effective from December 8, according to reports.
Last week, Ms. Sturgeon suggested that the program could be extended. She warned: “All of our decisions, and must, be motivated by a desire for keeping people safe but also to get through this winter, without having any trade restrictions reintroduced.”
But, leaders in business are asking the First Minister “to seriously consider the economic harm” further restrictions might have on hotels venues.
Opinion MPs also criticized plans to extend Scotland’s passport scheme, claiming that it would place additional pressure on companies decimated in the outbreak.
Douglas Ross of the Scottish Tory party called this scheme ‘absolutely incorrect’. He claimed that the 70-page Government evidence paper about passport applications showed that there’s ‘no evidence that vaccination passports can stop Covid-19 from spreading’.
According to latest statistics, Scotland recorded 2677 Covid new cases over the last 24 hours. However, there have been no deaths.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is present at First Minster’s Questions in Edinburgh’s debating chamber.
Today’s briefing will see the First Minister announce an extension to controversial Covid vaccine passports. These currently extend to large nightclubs and larger venues, as well to cinemas, theaters, and other theatres.
In Wales, Covid passes have been required for entry to cinemas, theatres and concert halls since November 13 after MPs voted to extend the measures. And in Northern Ireland from next month, vaccine passports will be compulsory to enter nightclubs, pubs and restaurants.
Boris Johnson is the Prime Minister of England. Downing Street warns that this measure may be introduced in an event of winter crisis.
In its evidence paper, the Scottish Government states that expanding the passport program to other settings can have significant impact on footfall and revenue for businesses who could be included in the scheme.
“Options that contain proof of positive Covid test results (e.g. It says that the lateral flow test would reduce economic harm as it increases the potential customer base. This is because the venue would be more accessible (given the fact that not all eligible people have received double vaccination for various reasons).
“This applies to businesses that are affected by the expansion of the scheme and business which already meet existing requirements.”
Ross said that uncertainty was the biggest concern for businesses hard hit by economic downturns.
Are there any proof these vaccination passports really work? [The Scottish government’s]His 70-page document cannot tell us anything, and it is wrong for businesses to put this additional pressure on them at such short notice.
‘We already know that business are opposed to any extension. And we have no clue, except for the First and Deputy Ministers stating other hospitality venues could be affected.
“I have asked twice in a row, which companies should be prepared for the expansions of the vaccine passport system? They failed to inform those businesses so they are unable to prepare adequately.
Alex Cole Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader, demanded that vaccination passports be abolished.
He stated that both the SNP (and Greens) haven’t provided any facts to support the Covid ID scheme’s safety.
According to the Scottish Government, the program has likely contributed to an increase in vaccines among younger Scots. They suggested that the expansion of the scheme might ‘increase effectiveness of certification’ for reducing transmission.
The report stated that such a move could encourage non-jabbed seniors to become vaccinated and possibly lead to a greater understanding of how the pandemic continues.
Big Brother Watch and other civil liberties activists have called for its abolition.
It came as European governments enforced lockdowns against the unvaccinated, and made vaccines compulsory in response to a spike in viral cases.
Professor Rowland Kao from Edinburgh University, an epidemiologist, stated that vaccine passports would ‘contribute positively’.
He stated that civil liberties were not absolute and we will allow some restrictions to how people behave if they are able to hurt others.
“We have speed restrictions and seat belts, so it’s not either/or. We need to find a compromise between the harm that the restrictions do to people and the benefits of applying the measures to prevent others from suffering. And we all know vaccines work.
The last 24-hours saw another 44,917 cases of infection. The death toll has fallen to its lowest level since the beginning of this month. The week-on, hospitalisations fell by 10%
Before today’s announcement, the spokesperson for the Scottish Government said that “The pandemic situation is grave and we are being transparent about all the options available to protect the people.”
Dr Liz Cameron (chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce) wrote to Ms Sturgeon to say that Scottish businessmen are still ‘unconvinced’ about the positives to their health from an extension of Scotland’s Covid program.
She claimed that the Scottish Government had also failed to prove workplace transmission in the office setting. Further encouragement of the “work from home” scheme will be devastating for city centres economies.
Responding, the spokesperson from Scotland’s Government stated that encouraging workers to stay at home would be a significant mitigation for controlling the virus as well as minimizing other restrictions economic and social.
According to industry leaders, Michael Bergson of Buck’s Bar in Glasgow has called the plan a “Christmas nightmare”.
Businesses like his are afraid of losing trade. He added: “It felt like we were moving somewhere. Shops are becoming busier. Bars and restaurants are getting busier. We really need it. So for many licensed premises, for instance, for the beginning of December, for them just to come in with that hammer blow would be too much.
Last week’s evidence paper stated that while an extension of the vaccine passport system may well lead to an increase among older generations, implementation could be costly for businesses.
This report identifies the need to hire more people and buy new hardware for scanning passports. It also points out lost revenue from customers who may choose to visit venues that don’t follow certain rules. However, the report also stated that the costs would still be less than what was possible due to another coronavirus lockdown.
John Swinney from Scotland’s Covid recovery Secretary stated that cases are increasing and there is pressure on the NHS. His approach to keeping people safe was to get through winter with no restrictions.
“We want to see businesses open during Christmas so we recommend that you consider expanding Covid certification.