Lib Dems calls for vote on Covid rules ahead of statement
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-hamilton has called for a full parliamentary vote on any further expansion of restrictions ahead of the First Minister's Covid briefing.
Nicola Sturgeon is due to give an announcement today when she is expected to set out an expansion of Covid ID cards in Scotland. The scheme came into effect in October and currently encourages nightclubs and large venues to only allow entry to people who can show they have had two doses of a Covid vaccine.
Speaking ahead of the statement,mrcole-hamiltonurged the government to ditch the "unworkable" system, abolish Covid ID cards and demanded a full parliamentary vote on any further expansion before it comes into force.
"This expensive and unworkableschemeisaverydeliberate diversion from the real crisis in ournhsandthesnp'sfailureto build a contact tracing system thatactuallyallowsustostamp outchainsofinfection,"hesaid.
"Ministers are just trying to look busy. We know transmission continues even among people who have received two vaccine doses.
"All this system does is give people false confidence that they will not pick up Covid-19 and encourages risk taking."
Mr Cole-hamilton said the SNP and Greens have not provided any "factual evidence" to show the current Covid ID scheme is keeping Scotland safer, adding "no wonder it has been attacked by everyone from health experts to civil liberties groups. The government should instead focus on themeasuresthatweknowcan help us defeat the virus."
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, also called on the First Minister to "seriously consider the economic damage" further restrictions could have on businesses.
In a letter addressed to Ms Sturgeon ahead of the scheduled announcement, she said Scottish businesses remain "unconvinced" that the public health benefits of an extension to Scotland's coronavirus schemeoutweighthenegatives for individuals, businesses and theeconomy.shesaidevidence shows extending vaccine certificationhasthepotentialtolock nearlyoneinthree18to29-yearolds out of pubs, restaurants, cafes, theatres and cinemas under the current rules.