The First Minister today announced that the Scottish Government would not extend vaccine passport requirements to a wider range of businesses.
Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland policy chair, said: “It’s a relief that Ministers have taken on board the evidence from the FSB and others. Extending the vaccine passport scheme would have meant many local and independent Scottish hospitality and leisure firms making big changes to how they operate during a key trading period. These businesses will now have a weight off their shoulders.
“Feedback from our members showed that small cafés, restaurants and similar operators were worried that the extension would have put pressure on staff and driven up costs. It would have undermined many of these firms’ plans for the festive period, many of whom are amongst the businesses hardest hit by this crisis.
“We agree with the First Minister that citizens, government and businesses of all sizes have a role in keeping this virus under control. That’s why we’d urge all smaller firms to look again at the current covid rules and ask themselves if they’re doing everything in their power to play their part.”
ENDS
Notes
• Read FSB’s survey work on this issue: https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-page/fsb-reveals-small-business-vaccine-passport-polling.html