the first minister nicola sturgeon has confirmed the covid passport scheme will not be expanded to include venues such as cinemas, theatres and other hospitality venues. the scheme will remain for nightclub and large events, and from 6th december, people will be allowed to enter these venues with proof of a negative covid test. ms sturgeon said extending covid passports to other venues was not proportionate at this time. for a three week period we will retain vaccines certification for venues and events currently by the scheme. that is late night license president with an area for dancing. i m seated in the events of 500 people or more, unseated out to advance 4000 people or more and any events with 10,000 people or more. given the current state of the titanic it is of a judgment that it would not be appropriate at this
in the few weeks prior to that, there was a sustained increase in there was a sustained increase in the infection rate, bringing it to levels not seen here since the height of the pandemic back in january. ministers in the devolved government here at stormont hoped that by strengthening their message they will avoid the need to tighten they will avoid the need to tighten the law. the advice to businesses to prepare staff to come back into the office has been scrapped and instead employers are being asked to help employees work from home. hospitality venues have been pointing out that with public health advice being strengthened around, for example, people being advised to limit the number of people they socialise with, that is leading to a christmas party is being cancelled, so although they will be allowed to remain open at this time of year, they fear their trade will be well down. likewise, retailers have expressed concern that their trade might be hit, for example, there won t be a
people have spoken of their shock. it s the children i cannot forget. for what they have seen. it s scary. a requiem mass at westminster cathedral for the mp sir david amess who was stabbed to death last month. good afternoon. amid rising coronavirus cases and tightening restrictions in europe, leaders in the uk have been considering whether changes are required. in the last hour, nicola sturgeon has for the time being ruled out an expansion of scotland s coronavirus passport scheme, describing it as a finely balanced decision . the cabinet had been discussing a potential expansion of the scheme to include a wider range of premises like cinemas and hospitality venues. the current scheme will see people in scotland showing proof of vaccination to enter nightclubs and large events like gigs and football matches.
it s true that the case numbers have stabilised somewhat over the last few days, but a few weeks prior to that, there was a sustained increase in the infection rate bringing it to levels not seen here since the height of the pandemic back injanuary. some ministers in the devolved governments here at stormont hope that by strengthening their message, they will avoid the need to tighten the law. the advice to businesses, to prepare their staff to come back into the office has been scrapped, and instead, and employers are now being asked to help employees work from home. hospitality venues have been pointing out that with public health advice being strengthened around, for example, people being advised to limit the number of people they socialise with, well, that is leading to christmas parties being cancelled, so even though they will be allowed to remain open at this time of year, they fear their trade is going to be well down. likewise, some retailers have expressed concern that their
considered the possible extension of the scheme to wider premises including indoor theatres, cinemas and other hospitality venues and this was a very finely balanced decision but i can confirm that at this stage we have decided not to extend the scope of the scheme. we have taken account of the fact that although our situation is precarious, cases are currently stable and indeed a slightly declining and we have considered the inevitable impact vaccine certification has on the operation of businesses and concluded that at this stage extension would not be proportionate. we were also mindful of the need over the coming weeks of getting across the message that it is important to be vaccinated and tested ahead of socialising in any setting including in homes and shopping centres, notjust in those that might be covered by a certification scheme. i said we