FEARS for the local economy have been raised by Fife Chamber of Commerce over vaccine certificates for entry to nightclubs and large events.

MSPs voted on Thursday to introduce vaccine passports in Scotland in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Essentially proof that you have received both doses of the COVID vaccine, the passports will be required in certain settings in Scotland, including in nightclubs; at indoor live events with 500-plus people unseated; outdoor live events with 4,000-plus people unseated and at any event with 10,000-plus people.

The scheme is set to go live on October 1 but, at the moment, they will not be used in general hospitality settings, however, this decision is being kept under review.

Alan Mitchell, chief executive of the Fife Chamber, believes that a COVID passport would serve as an "economic deterrent" as local businesses try to recover after 18 months of financial loss.

He stated: "Throughout the pandemic, businesses in Fife have worked tirelessly to keep their clients, customers and employees safe and even today many are going beyond what is legally required of them to slow transmission and keep case numbers down.

"The economy is now finally beginning to recover but it is a fragile recovery, and many businesses continue to operate in survival mode. Consumer and business confidence will be damaged by continued warnings from the Scottish Government that restrictions could be re-introduced.

“The prospect of economic deterrents, such as vaccine certificates, being introduced will exacerbate that, especially if it is not justified by data and will have no discernible impact on COVID rates.

“The Scottish Government can allay that fear by the simple act of releasing the data that conclusively shows that vaccine certificates will be effective in controlling COVID transmission."

Local MSP Alex Rowley also quizzed Deputy First Minister John Swinney on the vaccine certificate and the rationale behind the proposal during the COVID-19 recovery committee recently.

Mr Rowley had asked: "Deputy First Minister, you were clear in saying that the proposal is about maximising compliance, but what evidence are you basing that on?"

He also questioned: "Where is the evidence to show that the measure will maximise compliance with vaccination? What evidence is it based on and what is the science? What are the numbers? Not every young person under 30 goes to nightclubs – the majority in Scotland probably do not. The proposal is aimed at increasing and maximising compliance with vaccination but where is the evidence for it?"

In response, Mr Swinney said: "The Government has looked at the evidence base and the wider issues around participation in events.

"I accept that, on all these questions, there will be different opinions and contested opinions.

"We have looked at the information in the round to satisfy ourselves that the approach has the potential to provide us with greater levels of participation in the vaccination programme and to further incentivise individuals, particularly those in younger groups, to take up vaccination.

"We have to balance that against the likelihood that, if we do not take action to further improve vaccination levels, we might have to take action at a later stage that could lead to the application of further restrictions.

"The Government is keen to enlist the support and participation of members of the public in helping us to avoid getting to that position.

"Having looked at the balance of evidence on the question, we have concluded that this would be an effective way of strengthening population-wide resistance to the virus through maximising the uptake of the vaccination."