CUSTOMERS visiting cinemas, theatres and licensed hospitality venues could be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test from early December.

A final decision on the potential expansion of the certification scheme has been pushed back until next Tuesday, but Nicola Sturgeon said it would be "deeply irresponsible not to consider it" as a way of avoiding tougher restrictions over winter.

"All of our decisions are motivated by a desire to get through what will be a challenging winter without having to re-introduce any restrictions on trade," said the First Minister.

"We want if possible businesses to stay fully open over Christmas and through the winter, while also keeping Covid under control."

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New Covid passport rules, if agreed upon, would take effect from December 6 and apply to indoor cinemas, theatres, and some other licensed and hospitality venues, she added.

Exemptions would apply to under-18s, participants in vaccine clinical trials, people with medical conditions which prevent vaccination, and staff working in venues.

Ms Sturgeon said it was everyone's "civic duty" to be vaccinated against Covid if possible, however, and described those who chose not to as "deeply irresponsible".

The Herald: Covid cases have been rising since November 1 in Scotland, but the increases are concentrated in rural areas and in younger age groups. Figures for November 12 and 13 have plateaued around 3000 per dayCovid cases have been rising since November 1 in Scotland, but the increases are concentrated in rural areas and in younger age groups. Figures for November 12 and 13 have plateaued around 3000 per day

For the first time, the scheme in Scotland could allow people to show proof of a negative lateral flow test to enter spaces covered by the passes following evidence that the checks helped to prevent outbreaks at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

Ms Sturgeon said there is "no sign so far of any significant spike in cases associated with COP", with the latest data actually indicating that virus rates in Glasgow city are actually the lowest in Scotland. 

Among the measures put in place was a requirement for anyone entering the main summit site, known as the Blue Zone, to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test. 

According to Public Health Scotland, among those officially affiliated with COP26 the positivity rate on lateral flows was around four in every 1000 people tested, compared to a prevalence rate in the wider population of 12 per 1000 last week.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that, since October 15, 291 people across Scotland with Covid have reported attending a COP-related event - including satellite meetings and demonstrations, as well as the summit itself - which represents less than 0.5% of all those who have tested positive during the past month and been reported through Test and Protect. 

READ MORE: Glasgow has lowest virus rate in Scotland despite fears over COP26 spike

She added that Scotland is also currently the "most vaccinated" part of the UK based on uptake of first, second and booster Covid vaccine doses. 

To date, 88% of adults in Scotland have been fully vaccinated, with nearly 57% of 12 to 15-year-olds and 76.5% of 16 and 17-year-olds having had a single dose. 

Teenagers aged 16 and 17 are now eligible to get second doses, however, following updated guidance issued by the UK' JCVI expert group on Monday. 

Around 70% of all over-70s have also received a booster jag, with more than 54,000 online appointments booked since the portal went live for over-50s on Monday morning. 

Some users - especially in the Lothian area - had taken to social media, however, reporting that they could not find any available slots until 2022, or that the portal was automatically sending them to booster vaccination centres tens or hundreds of miles from their home. 

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The boosters are seen as a crucial means of reversing waning immunity and preventing a winter resurgence in Covid. 

Research estimates that protection against symptomatic infection fell from 66% after a second dose of AstraZeneca to 47% five months later; with Pfizer, it declined from 90% to 70% over the same time period. 

However, after a booster jag this rebounded to 93% and 95% respectively. 

The Herald:

The Herald: Cases began rising sharply among children aged 14 and under from the end of October, but have been falling in the over-60s over the same periodCases began rising sharply among children aged 14 and under from the end of October, but have been falling in the over-60s over the same period

It is thought that this could be one of the reasons why infections have been falling recently among over-60s in Scotland but rising in the under-60s - especially in the under-20s, mainly driven by cases in schoolchildren returning after the October break. 

Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, an expert in coronaviruses at Edinburgh University's Roslin Institute, said: "That was always expected because it's exactly what happened after the summer holidays."

However, she added that there was "a slight indication" in the latest Covid figures that infections in Scotland "might be levelling again".

"That is possibly part of the contribution why the Government is holding off on new measures," said Dr Tait-Burkard, in reference to Covid passports. 

"But we should keep in mind that they're very, very high. The plateau that we had before this current increase is high and could still cause problems for the NHS over the winter."

Cases have climbed from a daily average of around 2,500 throughout October to just over 3000 by Saturday November 13, according to cases reported by specimen date.