No Covid passport for pubs and restaurants
NICOLA Sturgeon has decided not to extend the vaccine passport scheme to pubs and restaurants ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Instead, she said, the certification scheme will remain in place for the current venues for the next three weeks at least.
She said: “It would not be appropriate to remove this protection.”
The First Minister did however announce one change to the rules.
From December 6, proof of a negative test will be accepted to enter venues covered by the scheme.
It means people who do not have the vaccine passport for whatever reason will be able to attend events covered by it if they can show they tested negative.
Sturgeon said because there were still high case numbers the Cabinet has decided to “retain all of the remaining protections and the Covid certification scheme”.
But with people likely to be meeting with more friends and family, the First Minister urged people to test themselves often over the Christmas period.
She said: “If going out for dinner, drinks, shopping or meeting with others at home, take a lateral flow test before you go.”
And she said if you are positive don’t go, but instead, get a PCR test.
Hospitality and business leaders were pleased with the change to the rules on providing a negative test.
Andrew McRae, of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland, said: “It’s a relief that ministers have taken on board the evidence from the FSB and others. Extending the vaccine passport scheme would have meant many local and independent Scottish hospitality and leisure firms making big changes to how they operate during a key trading period.”
Leon Thompson, UK Hospitality Scotland executive director, said: “The First Minister’s announcement that Covid vaccine passports will not be extended comes as welcome relief to hospitality businesses.
“The Scottish Government has listened and responded to the overwhelming evidence presented, which clearly demonstrates the damaging impact any extension of the scheme would have on our fragile sector.
“This is very good news and provides some respite for businesses working hard to maximise trade across the festive period.”
The First Minister said infection rates are still too high and higher than where the Government wants them to be.
As other countries begin to re-impose tougher restrictions, the Scottish Government urged people to get vaccinated and test regularly to keep infections down.
Sturgeon said: “Our situation is definitely more positive but remains precarious.”
She said: “Across Europe the Covid situation is deteriorating, restrictions have been tightened in Ireland, Netherlands and Slovakia.
“This is all a stark reminder that the threat of the pandemic is not behind us.
“Thankfully we are not at this stage but the situation remains precarious, cases are on the rise in countries all around us.
“Even though our position now is relatively stable, we must continue to take care.”
The average number each day has fallen to just under 3000 a day, and the First Minister urged people to get vaccinated and get the booster when eligible.
She said not to do so was “bluntly” putting others’ lives at risk.
Sturgeon said: “The most precious gift you can give is to be vaccinated before you meet or hug anyone at Christmas.”