With Scotland set to introduce vaccine passports from October 1 for certain settings, there has been much discussion over what defines a nightclub. 

Now we have an answer; the Scottish government has outlined the criteria by which they will define nightclubs for vaccine passport use. 

It's important because only certain settings will require proof of vaccination, so guidelines are required to help businesses understand under which category they fall.

Following the First Minister's announcement, here's what you need to know about what defines a nightclub in Scotland...

What defines a nightclub in Scotland for vaccine passports?

If all four of the following criteria are met by an institution, it will be considered a nightclub and will therefore be required to ask for proof of vaccine: 

  • open between midnight and 5am
  • serves alcohol after midnight
  • provides live or recorded music for dancing
  • has a designated space - which is actually in use - for dancing

If all four of these conditions apply to a venue, it will be considered as a nightclub and the vaccine passport scheme will therefore apply. 

Speaking on the guidance, the First Minister said: "In legal terms, venues will be required to take 'all reasonable measures' to implement the scheme – in plain terms, that boils down to using common sense.

"So, for example, a venue that has a dance floor operating after midnight – and meets the other criteria - will have to operate the certification scheme.

"They won’t need to check people coming in for a pub lunch twelve hours earlier - that wouldn’t be reasonable. But by the evening, it would be reasonable to check customers as they arrive.

"That's what we mean by common sense."

What situations require vaccine passports?

The following events and venues require vaccine passports from October 1 in Scotland: 

  • nightclubs
  • indoor live events with 500+ people unseated
  • outdoor live events with 4000+ people unseated
  • any event with 10,000+ people