‘No plans for vaccine passports in pubs’ says transport secretary
Currently, proof of a double Covid jab will be made mandatory for entry into nightclubs from September, something the night-time sector has hit back at.
Furthermore, a group of trade leaders have warned the Government of legal action over compulsory vaccine passports for clubs.
However, the Government hasn’t said whether other parts of the hospitality sector will also have to use a form of Covid-status certification.
Won't go as far
On ITV’s Good Morning Britain at the end of last week (Friday 30 July), Shapps said: "I think people have speculated about whether you need a vaccine passport to enter a pub and there’s no plans for that.”
“We won’t go as far as requiring it to enter a shop or the pub.
“We will for very close contact things like going to nightclubs – other countries are for international travel – so there is precious little reason not to be vaccinated, every good reason to be vaccinated.”
This is in contrast to reports in The Times earlier last month (July), where Downing Street sources told the newspaper vaccine passports could be required in the autumn.
Important tool
The Times source was quoted as saying: “In autumn, vaccine passports could become an important tool that will allow us to keep things open.”
However, hospitality bosses blasted initial reports a vaccine passport plan could be introduced when pubs reopened after a third lockdown in spring of this year.
Operators stated it would be costly to their businesses due to staff needing to check customers on entry and proposals ran the risk of discriminating against customers who could not receive a vaccine for medical reasons.
The Government’s guidance, which was released last month (July), it asks operators to consider using the NHS Covid Pass and says “if sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the state would consider mandating the Covid Pass in certain venues at a later date.”
