A SNAP poll has revealed that half of all Scottish small businesses are opposed to the extension of the vaccine passport scheme.
Furthermore, amongst hospitality and leisure businesses, just one in ten (11%) are supportive, while more than three quarters (78%) of firms are opposed.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which polled 500 operators, say local and independent Scottish businesses with less staff will face a disproportionate burden if the vaccine passport scheme is extended.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “Every minute spent administering the vaccine passport scheme is time that can’t be spent elsewhere in the business.
"So this could be a real headache for the small cafés, restaurants and pubs already facing a shortfall in workers."
The Scottish Government announced on Tuesday it considering extending vaccine passports to hospitality and leisure venues.
Scotland's current Covid measures are due to be reviewed next Tuesday.
Others have also voiced their concerns, including the Scottish Hospitality Group, which represents some 200 pubs, restaurants and hotels.
“The Scottish Government justified their current vaccine passport scheme by arguing it would be focussed on a small number of the largest, highest risk operators," McRae added.
"We would ask Ministers to carefully consider whether extending the scheme to smaller lower-risk operators is the right move when many of these firms are already under pressure.
“Virtually any public health measure is more palatable than a fresh lockdown. But that doesn’t mean that Ministers should pile pressure on firms without a clear rationale for their actions and support for the hardest-hit businesses.”
Results of the poll
The poll by FSB opened on November 11:
· 90 per cent believe that the extension of vaccine passport scheme would lead to a drop in takings
· 62 per cent say such a move would force up overheads
· 10 per cent say it would lead to a positive response from staff and customers
· 75 per cent say that believe that it could lead to a rise in conflict with customers
· 64 per cent say that it would lead to a loss of staff or management time.
McRae added: “Our polling clearly shows that smaller hospitality and leisure businesses are most worried about the prospect of an expanded vaccine passport. Even among businesses that won’t be directly impacted by the change, twice as many are opposed to it than in support.
“If Ministers believe that such a scheme will be easy to administer and won’t burden local firms, they have a huge job to do to get these businesses on their side.”
READ MORE: Here are five Covid measures being considered by the Scottish Government ahead of winter
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