Covid passports ‘going to happen’ says Highland MSP – despite stumbling blocks
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An MSP has called for action to ensure Scottish travellers are able to prove their immunity from Covid-19 after they have received the vaccination.
Highlands and Islands Labour member David Stewart raised the issue of Covid “passports” at a recent meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s health and sport committee.
He says he believes Scotland and the UK risk being left behind if they do not begin to seek international co-operation for some form of digital passport which holds a traveller’s Covid-19 immunity status.
He questioned cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and technology Michael Matheson for his view on the matter.
Mr Matheson told him he was “not persuaded that it was the right approach at the present moment”.
He said there were too many challenges around new variants of the virus and a lack of understanding around how the vaccine operated in the transmission stages.
He also said civil liberty issues would also need to be addressed.
Afterwards, Mr Stewart said: “I just cannot see how international travel and our tourism industry can be built back up until an internationally-recognised passport showing people’s immunity status is brought in.
“Obviously, it’s a longer term issue, but I believe it is going to happen.”
Read more from David Stewart.
