Passports are not the way to beat this virus

The upward trend in Covid infections prompts a mixture of alarm and frustration. With Scotland closing in on four million second jabs, it is hard not to despair that coronavirus still exerts such a terrifying grip over our lives.

Undoubtedly, some young people have yet to be convinced to take both doses of the vaccine – but, even then, we know vaccination is no guarantee of immunity. There is no magic wand that can wave this crisis away.

Many, not least business owners, will be reassured to hear Professor Linda Bauld, a leading Scottish Government adviser, say that the reimposition of lockdown seems unlikely given that people were urged to get both jabs in order to regain their liberties.

That is a sensible analysis of the situation but it is not a licence for a free-for-all. If the easing of restrictions has caused us to let our guards down, it is time to raise them again if the situation demands.

Being free to socialise indoors or get closer to friends has been a joy, but we can and should show common sense and caution in the weeks and months ahead.

It is the only way to manage this pandemic.

Disagreements over pandemic management may sour any honeymoon for the new SNP-Green Government.

Nicola Sturgeon is open to vaccine passports, which require proof of vaccination status for entry to certain premises – but Patrick harvie has voiced

reservations. he warns of the impact on health inequalities and civil liberties.

There is a fine balance to be struck and, as we have seen over the past 16 months, some impositions are necessary in a time of crisis.

however, requiring people to carry around details about their private health records and present them to strangers to go about their lawful business is unprecedented in peacetime.

The case for adopting this illiberal measure would have to be unanswerable and come with firm guarantees about medical privacy and fairness.

That threshold has not been met and until it is the Greens should continue to ask difficult questions. If the cooperation agreement gives the party as much freedom of conscience as members have been assured, this kind of constructive criticism should not be inhibited.

Changing our behaviour where necessary is an important part of managing the virus but drawing red lines on changes that go too far is no less crucial. Living with Covid means adopting policies we can live with.