Sturgeon refuses to drop vaccine passports

Nicola Sturgeon refused to ditch controversial Covid vaccine passports or rule out a further extension to the scheme in the future despite opposition politicians branding it a “dud”.

The first minister told MSPS yesterday that almost all Covid restrictions will come to an end in the coming days, with nightclubs reopening, large indoor events resuming and social distancing rules scrapped from Monday.

Under current rules, members of the public are required to show digital or paper evidence of their vaccination status before they can enter a nightclub or attend a large sporting event.

It had been reported the Scottish Government was considering extending the vaccine passport scheme to other venues as a condition of lifting Covid restrictions.

The Scottish Conservatives said Ms Sturgeon “backed down” on that extension but still refuses to scrap the scheme altogether.

The party warns that despite a “sea change” in government policy towards personal responsibility, the looming prospect of a further rollout of the passports creates unnecessary uncertainty for businesses.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “The first minister has now twice backed down on extending the SNP’S discredited vaccine passport scheme.

“But for many Scottish businesses, it remains a burden and a potential risk, despite there being no evidence that it works.”

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon should accept that this scheme is a dud and scrap it altogether.”

Ms Sturgeon told MSPS: “Given that cases are now falling quite rapidly, and the current wave is receding, we decided that

we will not at this stage extend the Covid certification scheme to other premises.”

She rejected Dr Gulhane’s assertion the government did not go far enough on relieving restrictions.

“The approach that we are taking – have taken – is balanced, it is appropriately and suitably cautious, and it is data driven.

“For all these reasons it stands in stark contrast to the approach that the Conservatives have proposed at each and every stage,” Ms Sturgeon said.

Andrew Mcrae from the Federation of Small Businesses said he was pleased Nicola Sturgeon had listened to representations about the “disproportionate burden” vaccine passports place on smaller firms.

But he warned the withdrawal of some Covid restrictions does not necessarily mean local economies will be able to bounce back.

“It was disappointingly predictable that Covid grants would be delayed because of Christmas holidays at public bodies,” he said.

“But it now looks likely that some firms won’t get financial help until well after the restrictions are lifted.

“With many operators facing dangerous problems with cashflow, ministers need to reassure firms that help is in the pipeline,” Mr Mcrae added.

The vaccine passport scheme has proved controversial.