This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59289707

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Scottish vaccine passport extension could start next month Scotland can expect 'normal Christmas', says Swinney
(about 3 hours later)
Scotland's vaccine passport scheme could be rolled out to cinemas, theatres and more hospitality venues from 6 December, the first minister has confirmed. The deputy first minister said Covid measures would help people live closer "to normality" this Christmas
Nicola Sturgeon said a final decision would not be taken until next Tuesday. People in Scotland can expect a "normal Christmas" with some Covid measures, the deputy first minister has said.
But she told Holyrood that the rules may need to be tightened to get through winter without a new lockdown. John Swinney told the BBC that the extension of the vaccine passport scheme and other mitigations would to help people live normally.
The passport scheme currently only applies to nightclubs and major events such as concerts and football matches. Last year Scotland was under the toughest level of lockdown restrictions from 26 December until March.
A decision had been widely expected to be made this week, with opposition leaders accusing the government of creating "wholly avoidable uncertainty" for businesses that could be affected. Mr Swinney said he wanted to avoid further closure of businesses "at all possible costs".
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs there had been a "gradual increase" in new cases of Covid-19 over the last two weeks, from just over 2,500 new cases per day to around 3,000 per day. He told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime the Scottish government was trying to manage Covid to a level that "enables most of our economy and society to function as close to normality" as possible.
"I'm very hopeful that this could be a normal Christmas," he added. "It will be a normal Christmas with us all taking care, is what I would say.
"We may have to put in place some additional measures to make sure that is the case."
Live: Nicola Sturgeon's Covid-19 statement to MSPsLive: Nicola Sturgeon's Covid-19 statement to MSPs
How does Scotland's vaccine passport work?How does Scotland's vaccine passport work?
And she said the number of patients in hospital with the virus was "extremely high" - despite having fallen over recent weeks - with pressure on the health service expected to increase in winter. Mr Swinney said such measures included the extension of the vaccine passport scheme, as well as "intensifying" the vaccine programme.
Earlier, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that vaccine certification could be rolled out to cinemas, theatres and more hospitality venues from 6 December.
She said a final decision would not be taken until next Tuesday.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Nicola Sturgeon: Changes to Scotland's coronavirus certification scheme under reviewNicola Sturgeon: Changes to Scotland's coronavirus certification scheme under review
The passport scheme currently only applies to nightclubs and major events such as concerts and football matches.
A decision had been widely expected to be made this week, with opposition leaders accusing the government of creating "wholly avoidable uncertainty" for businesses that could be affected.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs there had been a "gradual increase" in new cases of Covid-19 over the last two weeks, with pressure on the health service expected to increase in winter.
The first minister said the vaccine passport scheme was making "an important and proportionate contribution to stemming transmission".The first minister said the vaccine passport scheme was making "an important and proportionate contribution to stemming transmission".
But she said a final decision on whether it would be extended would not be taken until 23 November, once ministers have taken account of the "most up to date data". She said the government was also considering whether a negative test result could be provided instead of proof of vaccination, as happens in most other countries that have introduced vaccine passports.
Ms Sturgeon said: "All of our decisions are motivated by a desire to get through what will be a challenging winter without having to re-introduce any restrictions on trade.
"We want if possible businesses to stay fully open over Christmas and through the winter, while also keeping Covid under control. If an expansion of Covid certification can help us do that, it would be irresponsible not to consider it."
Covid cases in Scotland have started to rise again, having plateaued for several week
Ms Sturgeon said the government was also considering whether a negative test result could be provided instead of proof of vaccination, as happens in most other countries that have introduced vaccine passports.
She also said choosing not to be vaccinated without good reason was "deeply irresponsible," and urged people to do their "civic duty" by getting jabbed.She also said choosing not to be vaccinated without good reason was "deeply irresponsible," and urged people to do their "civic duty" by getting jabbed.
Covid cases in Scotland have started to rise again, having plateaued for several week
The government has updated its "strategic framework" paper with plans for the winter period ahead, with warnings that the country "risks moving potentially rapidly" into a challenging situation should a new variant of the virus emerge.The government has updated its "strategic framework" paper with plans for the winter period ahead, with warnings that the country "risks moving potentially rapidly" into a challenging situation should a new variant of the virus emerge.
The paper said ministers hope not to need to return to the levels system of localised restrictions or a blanket lockdown, even temporarily, but that a "nationwide, collective effort" was needed to keep the virus sufficiently under control. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association said hospitality venues had been offered a "stay of execution", but warned that any expansion of the certification scheme would "force many premises into closure".
Managing director Colin Wilkinson said: "Businesses need time to plan for something major like this, and vague comments like those from Nicola Sturgeon today leave us in limbo for another week as we approach the vital Christmas trading period."
Ministers are watching the situation in Europe very carefully. Many countries there are having to reimpose restrictions because of soaring case numbers.Ministers are watching the situation in Europe very carefully. Many countries there are having to reimpose restrictions because of soaring case numbers.
Public health experts don't yet know if this is a new wave that could be coming Scotland's way, or if this is what we already faced back in September.Public health experts don't yet know if this is a new wave that could be coming Scotland's way, or if this is what we already faced back in September.
The Scottish government is said to be at a fork in the road, but it can't choose which path to take until it knows the direction of travel of the virus.The Scottish government is said to be at a fork in the road, but it can't choose which path to take until it knows the direction of travel of the virus.
There is a degree of confidence that three key hurdles have been overcome: pupils are back in school, students have returned to universities and colleges and COP26 has passed without a massive spike in cases.There is a degree of confidence that three key hurdles have been overcome: pupils are back in school, students have returned to universities and colleges and COP26 has passed without a massive spike in cases.
But with Christmas fast approaching, the decision on whether or not to extend vaccine certification will have to be made soon.But with Christmas fast approaching, the decision on whether or not to extend vaccine certification will have to be made soon.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association said hospitality venues had been offered a "stay of execution", but warned that any expansion of the certification scheme would "force many premises into closure".
Managing director Colin Wilkinson said: "Businesses need time to plan for something major like this, and vague comments like those from Nicola Sturgeon today do nothing to help the sector and instead leave us in limbo for another week as we approach the vital Christmas and New Year trading period."
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce said there "continues to be a sense of anxiety" among firms about an extension to the scheme, and that "it would hit consumer confidence and increase costs for businesses".The Scottish Chambers of Commerce said there "continues to be a sense of anxiety" among firms about an extension to the scheme, and that "it would hit consumer confidence and increase costs for businesses".
And the Federation of Small Businesses said there were "so many unanswered questions about the practicalities of a dramatically expanded scheme".And the Federation of Small Businesses said there were "so many unanswered questions about the practicalities of a dramatically expanded scheme".
Scottish policy chair Andrew McRae said that if measures were to come into force on 6 December, they would have to be drawn up "at breakneck speed".
'Left in the dark'
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross accused the government of having "a total lack for respect for Scottish businesses".Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross accused the government of having "a total lack for respect for Scottish businesses".
He said: "The government has delayed again, creating wholly avoidable uncertainty. Businesses are once again being left in the dark and treated as an afterthought. He said: "The government has delayed again, creating wholly avoidable uncertainty. Businesses are once again being left in the dark and treated as an afterthought."
"They might have less than two weeks to adapt to changes to the vaccine passport scheme at one of the busiest times of the year for the hospitality industry." The passport scheme currently only applies to nightclubs and major events such as concerts and football matches.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said ministers should commit to engaging with affected businesses and offering them financial support if new measures are introduced. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said ministers should commit to engaging with affected businesses and offer financial support if new measures are introduced.
He also said Ms Sturgeon should accept that providing a negative test should have been an option in the system from the outset, saying: "Testing should always have been at the heart of our Covid reduction strategy."He also said Ms Sturgeon should accept that providing a negative test should have been an option in the system from the outset, saying: "Testing should always have been at the heart of our Covid reduction strategy."
The first minister said allowing a negative test to be included was a "finely balanced" decision, saying it could be argued that the scheme had helped to drive vaccine uptake.The first minister said allowing a negative test to be included was a "finely balanced" decision, saying it could be argued that the scheme had helped to drive vaccine uptake.
However she said Scotland may now be in a position to include this option due to high levels of uptake of the vaccine.However she said Scotland may now be in a position to include this option due to high levels of uptake of the vaccine.
Meanwhile Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the government should use the COP26 conference as a model for using regular testing to control the virus rather than vaccine certificates.Meanwhile Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the government should use the COP26 conference as a model for using regular testing to control the virus rather than vaccine certificates.
Data published by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday suggested that only four in every 1,000 delegates tested positive during the Glasgow event, compared to an infection rate of 12 in every 1,000 in Scotland as a whole.Data published by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday suggested that only four in every 1,000 delegates tested positive during the Glasgow event, compared to an infection rate of 12 in every 1,000 in Scotland as a whole.
RULES: What are the restrictions in Scotland?RULES: What are the restrictions in Scotland?
LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our livesLOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives
CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland?CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland?
NUMBERS: Four key figures to watch out forNUMBERS: Four key figures to watch out for