Nicola Sturgeon update RECAP: No extension of vaccine passport scheme
The First Minister will make an announcement on potential changes to Covid-19 restrictions in the Scottish Parliament shortly after 2pm on Tuesday.
Vaccine passports came into effect in October and currently require nightclubs and large venues to only allow entry to people who can show they have been double jagged.
You can follow the latest updates from the chamber in our live blog.
Nicola Sturgeon to give update on vaccine passport
If you are just joining - here are some key points.
Scotland’s vaccine passport scheme will not be extended to cover more venues
The First Minister said her Cabinet considered widening the scheme to cover theatres, cinemas and and hospitality venues but decided this would not be “proportionate”, given its impact on businesses.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs this will remain the case for at least the next three weeks but that, from Monday, a negative lateral flow test will also allow entry.
She confirmed there will be no further changes to remaining Covid-19 regulations, such as mask-wearing and home-working.
She also urged those eligible to get fully vaccinated if they have not already done so – including booster shots.
Hello and welcome to our live blog bringing you the latest ahead of Nicola Sturgeon’s Covid update to Holyrood.
Nicola Sturgeon previously told MSPs that exactly which businesses could be affected would be decided “on the basis of the data and the evidence”, with MSPs being updated today.
People in Scotland have been required to show proof of vaccination to enter nightclubs and large events like gigs and football matches since October.
What are the current rules around vaccine passports in Scotland?
People over the age of 18 need to show - if asked - that they have had both doses of the vaccine ahead of entry to certain events, including:
- Nightclubs and “analogous venues”
- Unseated indoor events with more than 500 people, even if some are seated
- Unseated outdoor events with more than 4,000 people
- Any event with more than 10,000 people in attendance
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, called on the First Minister to “seriously consider the economic damage” further restrictions could have on businesses.
In a letter addressed to Ms Sturgeon published on Monday, Dr Cameron said Scottish businesses remain “unconvinced” that the public health benefits of an extension to Scotland’s coronavirus scheme outweigh the negatives for individuals, businesses and the economy.
Latest stats in Scotland
- 2,527 new cases of COVID-19 reported and 17 new deaths in 24 hours
- 23,306 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results, with 11.6% being positive.
- 60 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 743 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 4,340,162 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 3,940,314 have received their second dose, and 1,469,423 have received a third dose or booster.
Some more detail of the latest stats
Scotland has recorded 17 coronavirus-linked deaths and 2,527 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to latest data.
It means the death toll under this daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is 9,495.
Nicola Sturgeon says “As of now, on first, second, third and booster doses, Scotland is still the most vaccinated part of the UK.
I want to again record my thanks to everyone involved in organising and delivering the vaccine programme.”
The First Minister adds: “Even though our position now is relatively stable compared to some other countries, we must continue to take care and not allow ourselves to be lulled into any false sense of security.
“Last week, I noted that cases had increased gradually over the previous fortnight from just over 2,500 new cases a day, to just over 3,000.
“Since then, the situation appears to have stabilised again.
“In the last 7 days, the average number of new cases being recorded each day has fallen from just over 3000 to just under 3000 - a fall of around 3%.”
The First Minister explains “In the over 60s, cases fell by 19%. In the under 60s, though, there was only a very slight decline. A small fall in cases in those aged under 25, was almost balanced out by a very small increase in the other age bands under 60.”
“In the last week, the number of people in hospital with Covid has fallen only slightly - from 779 to 743. And the number of people in intensive care has risen slightly – from 57 to 60. So the number of patients in hospital with Covid is still high. “
The First Minister explains that all restrictions will remain in place. She says: “The fact that the R number is hovering at or slightly above 1 leads us to this conclusion; our situation is more positive than we might have expected it to be at this point, but it is still precarious.
“We need to get the R number back below 1.
“That means having in place a range of proportionate protections to keep the country as safe as possible while we continue to live as freely as possible.
“That is why Cabinet decided this morning to retain for a further period all the remaining legal protections, such as the requirement to wear face coverings and - subject to a change I will set out shortly - to keep in place the Covid certification scheme, and intensify our public information campaign in the weeks ahead.”
The First Minister says “Getting vaccinated remains the single most important thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
“You could well be saving your own life, and the lives of your loved ones.
“You will be helping the NHS.”
BREAKING
Nicola Sturgeon confirms that the Covid vaccine passport scheme will continue. She says: "For at least a further three week period, we will retain vaccine certification for the venues and events currently covered by the scheme"
She adds: “We have decided that from 6 December it will be possible to access venues or events covered by the scheme by showing either proof of vaccination, as now, or a recent negative lateral flow test result.“
Nicola Sturgeon: “As I indicated last week, Cabinet also considered the possible extension of the scheme to a much wider range of premises, including indoor theatres, cinemas and hospitality venues.
This was a very finely balanced decision.
However, I can confirm that at this stage we have decided not to extend the scope of the scheme.”