Responding to the Scottish Government’s CV-19 update and confirmation of additional settings where vaccine certification will be required, Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:
“The Scottish Government’s vaccine certification proposals were confusing when they were first brought forward and the proposed scheme as it stands today goes well beyond what was initially proposed.
“The criteria and definition now set out by the Scottish Government will unfortunately, by default, extend to many of our hotels, pubs, major sporting events and other hospitality and tourism businesses. Thousands of these businesses will now be caught up in vaccine certification rules, with little time left to understand, plan and implement them before the deadline of the October 1.
“Industry associations and businesses have been attending meetings with Government officials in an attempt to identify and resolve issues with the scheme. We have made it clear that the practical application of what is being asked is not workable in the timelines being proposed. In addition, there are still no details around enforcement and it is becoming clear that the Scottish Government expect businesses to bear the burden of implementation costs, without any financial support whatsoever.
“Scotland’s economy remains fragile, and many businesses remain in survival mode. There is no doubt that vaccine certifications will serve as an economic deterrent. We have offered to work with the Government to help design appropriate solutions which will save jobs and save businesses, whilst continuing to encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine.
“Businesses will not be prepared and ready for the October 1 and we ask again for a rethink.”
On international travel restrictions, Dr Liz Cameron said:
“The changes announced by the First Minister will be welcome with the green and amber lists being merged from October 4. This is the right step towards fully re-opening Scotland’s international travel sector.
“The Scottish Government however must come to a swift decision on the future of international travel restrictions, specifically around the continued need for Day 2 PCR testing for fully vaccinated travellers, which will be removed in England and has the potential to cause serious economic harm to Scotland’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors and the broader business community.
“A four-nations approach to re-opening up Scotland’s international travel sector is essential to supporting Scotland’s aviation sector and Scotland’s economic recovery. Without alignment, Scottish airports and businesses will miss out on vital trade and business as passengers seek out more cost effective and less restrictive travel options south of the border.”
Russell Borthwick, chief executive, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce added:
“We fully endorse the frustration expressed by colleagues at Scottish Chambers of Commerce on the latest set of pronouncements from our government. Yet again, Scottish businesses are bearing the brunt of these disproportionate measures.
"Infection rates are significantly lower than when the vaccine passport scheme was confirmed and we are still to receive an answer to the question of what exactly the objective of introducing it actually is.
"And it now appears as though the list of venues required to comply has grown since it was first announced two weeks ago.
"We are hearing nothing but frustration and anger from businesses across the hospitality, live events and culture sector in the North-east with many struggling to survive financially and support schemes coming to an end. They are now expected to plan and pick up the cost of implementing this ill-thought-out scheme, with only a matter of days to do so. So far, both meaningful detail and any signs of funding to help them do so remain conspicuously absent. To be clear, people will be put off attending these venues, with the potentially catastrophic double-whammy of reduced income and higher costs.
“At the same time, our hard-hit aviation sector continues to wait for an answer on whether more stringent testing rules which won’t apply south of the border will remain in place here, creating yet another competitive disadvantage for our domestic travel industry. Passengers will simply choose to fly from and into airports in England, putting at risk our airports, routes and connectivity.
“These continued restrictions are acting to dampen prospects of recovery in the very sectors which have been most seriously affected by the pandemic. Again we urge the Scottish Government to actually listen to what the business community is saying and respond constructively to their concerns. The alternative is further economic damage from the business closures and job losses that will result from these policies”.