This is guidance under proposed changes to the  Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 which are intended to come into force at 5am on Friday 1 October.  It will be checked against the final version of the Regulations that are laid in Parliament.

Main points

• from 5am on 1 October, under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (‘the Regulations’), people will have to be prepared to show proof that they have been fully vaccinated (or are otherwise exempt) to get into certain late night premises and certain events – this is known as the vaccine certification scheme
• in settings where vaccine certification is required, premises and event organisers will need to ensure there is a reasonable and proportionate system for checking and restricting entry to only those who are permitted to be on the premises
• businesses and event organisers will need to develop a compliance plan by 18 October 2021. This should describe the system for checking and restricting entry that will operate for your premises and any other measures that are or will be in place to prevent or minimise the risk of COVID-19 being spread
• people under 18, not able to get the vaccine for medical reasons, taking part in vaccine trials and venue staff or volunteers are exempt from the requirement to be fully vaccinated to be on the premises

• businesses and event organisers can download the free NHS Scotland COVID Check app to a smartphone or other suitable device to verify vaccine certificates
• certification provides a targeted and proportionate means to reduce risk while maximising our ability to keep open certain premises and events where transmission is a higher risk
• the need to be vaccinated is also expected to encourage the remaining sections of the eligible population to be vaccinated
• the scheme will be reviewed at regular intervals in line with the current process for reviewing COVID Regulations every three weeks

Vaccine certificates in Scotland

From 1 October, COVID vaccine certificates will be needed to get into the following higher risk settings in Scotland:

• late night premises with music, which serve alcohol at any time between midnight and 5 am and have a designated place for dancing for customers
• indoor events (unseated) with 500 or more people
• outdoor events (unseated) with 4,000 or more people
• any event with more than 10,000 people

Everyone attending these settings and events must show they have been fully vaccinated (unless exempt) to gain entry, unless they are:

• under 18
• not able to get the vaccine for medical reasons
• participants in vaccine trials (either current or past participants)
• the person responsible for the premises
• workers or volunteers at the venue or event
• emergency services responders and regulators carrying out their work

This guidance explains how the scheme will work and provides guidance on what premises and event organisers need to do to operate a reasonable and proportionate system for checking that individuals on their premises are fully vaccinated or exempt. Separate guidance will be available for the public, customers and event attendees, and there will be an accompanying marketing campaign to help raise awareness.

Full details here on Scottish Government site