This guidance aims to support local authority officers in their work enforcing the Coronavirus vaccine certification scheme. It:

• sets out the role and powers of designated local authority officers with regards to the scheme
• provides a summary of the requirements and expectations on premises and events covered by the scheme
• provides guidance on how local authorities can review the compliance of the relevant premises/events
• provides an example of how a compliance plan may be completed to evidence to local authorities that the business/premises is meeting requirements

This guidance relates to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (the “Regulations”), as amended, and is in place to support local authority officers in carrying out their role under the regulations.

As set out in the Regulations, relevant businesses and event organisers are required to have a reasonable system in place to ensure that only permitted individuals enter the relevant premises or events covered by the regulations. This reasonable system should include a process for removing or refusing access to those not permitted to be on the relevant premises. Permitted individuals are those set out in regulation 7A(3) of the Regulations. In short, permitted individuals are fully vaccinated with some additional specific categories for individuals who are under 18, attending the premises for certain work-related purposes, or cannot be fully vaccinated and are exempt from the scheme.

The Regulations came into force on 1 October 2021 and It will be reviewed on a three-weekly cycle. The scheme became enforceable by law on 18 October, along with the requirement for the person responsible for a relevant premises to provide their local authority with a compliance plan.

The guidance allows a 4 week phased approach for late night premises to reach 100% of checks: this means 100% checks should be in place w/c 22 October 2021. Local authorities  should have regard to the national Four E’s enforcement policy which are: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce. 

This guidance should be read in conjunction with the vaccination certification scheme information for businesses and event organisers.