Jab passports ‘worst attack on freedom in last 22 years’
THE Scottish Government’s push for vaccine passports is part of a ‘coercive’ and ‘divisive’ assault on civil liberties, campaigners have warned.
The SNP will force through their plans for jab certification to be required at nightclubs and large events in a vote this week, with the Scottish Greens poised to make a U-turn after previously being opposed.
The Government also wants to make permanent its temporary powers to impose lockdowns, close schools and free prisoners.
It amounts to the greatest level of control over the actions of individual Scots in devolution’s history.
Last night, campaigners warned the extraordinary circumstances of Covid must not be allowed to shape people’s personal freedoms.
Sam Grant, head of policy and campaigns at Liberty, said: ‘Liberty has always supported reasonable and proportionate measures to combat Covid. ‘However, we have also been wary of any attempt to make these limits to our freedoms permanent. Emergency legislation should remain just that.’
From the end of this month, the passports will be required to enter nightclubs, adult entertainment venues, unseated indoor live events with more than 500 people present, unseated outdoor events with more than 4,000, and at any event with more than 10,000. There has been a return of mass events in Scotland – the Riverside festival and Pride march took place over the weekend, with thousands in attendance – which will require passports in future.
One expert fears long-term personal freedoms are now under threat. Dr Stuart Waiton, a sociologist at Abertay University, said: ‘What we are seeing with Scotland is, because it is a new state with new institutions, there’s very little tradition from the past to keep things balanced. We have a new safety-obsessed, politically correct-obsessed coalition, and almost no opposition. I would not be surprised if we never get back to normal Scotland.’
Last night, Scots Tories warned they would not agree to vaccine passports becoming permanent.
Annie Wells, health spokesman, said: ‘We will continue to fully scrutinise the litany of issues with the development of these passports for use in the short-term, but there is no way we could agree to them becoming permanent.’
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, added: ‘This decision from the Government is more about trying to look in control of a virus that is clearly out of control.
‘There is a real risk that vaccine certification could lead to a false sense of security among people who can still transmit the virus.’
The Scots Greens said they had sought ‘assurances’ about vaccine passports before reversing on their previous position. Gillian Mackay, Scottish Green MSP, said: ‘It’s essential the Government acts to address the surge in cases, but it must ensure that there are no negative unintended consequences from the measures it introduces.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Given the large rise in case numbers and in order to help protect public health, reduce the necessity for any further restrictions and boost vaccine take up, if parliament agrees, we feel now is the right time to introduce a robust, effective and proportionate Covid vaccine certification.
‘The introduction of vaccine certificates, even in the limited circumstances we propose, is a significant move and not one we’d take lightly. Regulations will be kept under ongoing review.’
‘Emergency legislation should remain just that’