Covid in Scotland: Vaccine passport app launch hit by problems

Major problems have been reported with Scotland's Covid vaccine passport app, just hours after its launch.

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People now need proof they have had two doses of vaccine in order to enter nightclubs and many other large events.

The NHS Scotland Covid Status app only became available to download on Apple and Android devices at about 17:30 on Thursday.

But many people have said they were unable to access their vaccination status through the app.

The Scottish government said more than 70,000 people had downloaded the app on on Thursday, with a spokesman adding: "This huge demand did mean that some people experienced delays and we are sorry that happened.

"We have now increased the capacity of the NHS systems that sit behind the app - where most of the issues causing delays have occurred - in order to deal with demand and, as a result, we are seeing increasing numbers of people now able to access their records."

Anecdotal evidence on social media suggested that problems may have arisen when people tried to use their NHS CHI number to register.

This step comes after users are asked to take a picture of their passport or driving licence.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said there should be an "indefinite delay" to the rollout of the new scheme to avoid a "weekend of chaos" at venues across the country.

He added: "Thousands of people will be at the football and going out to hospitality premises this weekend.

"This plan should really be scrapped altogether but, if the SNP insist on charging ahead, they must indefinitely delay the vaccine passport scheme until the most basic issues are ironed out."