UKH calls for Scottish Government to speak with hospitality leaders about vaccine certification

The English Government has also confirmed that it has plans for introduce vaccine passports​ for nightclubs. Wales has indicated it may have to introduce further restrictions. 

Under the Scottish plans Coronavirus vaccination certificates will be required to enter certain events and higher risk venues, such as nightclubs, music festivals and some football grounds. The Scottish Parliament have yet to vote on the plan. 

Proof of vaccination

Proof of vaccination will be required later this month to enter nightclubs and adult entertainment venues, unseated indoor live events with more than 500 people in the audience, unseated outdoor live events with more than 4,000 people in the audience and any event, of any nature, which has more than 10,000 people in attendance. 

There are currently no plans to introduce certification for the wider hospitality industry but this will be kept under review over the autumn and winter months. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We believe that a limited use of vaccine certification in certain higher risk settings, could help us to keep businesses open and prevent any further restrictions as we head into autumn and winter.” 

UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director Leon Thompson said the move will  “cause dismay amongst businesses.” 

“The fact that there has been no attempt to engage with the sector ahead of this announcement is extremely concerning. Nightclubs and event organisers will be on the frontline of implementing this policy and representatives need an opportunity to ask questions of the Scottish Government’s plans before they are put to the Scottish Parliament for approval,” he said.

'Thin end of the wedge' 

“Whilst the introduction of certification is envisaged as limited for now, if extended, the impact on wider hospitality could be immense. This cannot be the thin end of the wedge, especially when no evidence has been produced to indicate that nightclubs, events or indeed any other hospitality settings are responsible for the rising number of Covid-19 cases.”

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) called the move a “threat hanging over the whole of the hospitality industry.” 

Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: “Although the suggestion is that the wider hospitality industry will not be affected should the Scottish Government agree to introduction of ‘Covid passports’ next week, it is a most unwelcome development for the licensed trade in general.
“But a simple question is: where is the evidence that this is required for nightclubs and what is a nightclub? We are seeing a large spike in infection rates following the general reopening of the economy when a number of sectors fully reopened and Scottish schools have been opened for two weeks, universities and colleges are about to open, but night clubs alone have been targeted with the possible introduction of a Covid status certification system at this time.
He also raised concern about how the Government would decide what is a nightclub as many premises are 'hybrid.'