Welsh Government’s Covid vaccine passes land Labour in hot water in Scotland

The Welsh Government’s introduction of vaccine passes in Wales has caused a political row in Scotland after the Labour party there voted against the introduction of similar measures.

Scottish Labour MSPs voted against the policy in Holyrood earlier this month, with the SNP Scottish Government describing it as “opposition for opposition’s sake”.

But the introduction of the passes in Wales has now reignited the debate, with SNP MSP Paul McLennan pointed to the introduction of the Covid pass in Wales, saying it showed it was “time for Scottish Labour to stop playing politics with public health and find a backbone”.

Both the passes in Wales and Scotland will be needed for clubs, indoor no-seating events with more than 500 people and outdoor no-seating events with more than 4000 people.

Paul McLennan MSP said: “Their opposition for opposition’s sake approach is clear for all to see, but that does not work when we are dealing with a global pandemic. Labour in Wales can see the benefits of vaccine passports to allow businesses to stay open without bringing in tougher restrictions – why can’t Labour in Scotland see that?

“Despite Scottish Labour’s opposition to the SNP/Green co-operation agreement, Labour is entering a similar agreement in Wales, again showing that Labour in Scotland is not ready for grown-up politics.”

Scottish Labour, which is led by Anas Sarwar, said their objection wasn’t to Covid passes but on questions around the Scottish Government’s execution and handling of them.

The requirement to show an NHS Covid Pass in Wales will come into force from 11 October.

People who are fully vaccinated in Wales can already download the NHS Covid Pass to securely show and share their vaccine status. It also allows people to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.