Government published proposals for plan B including mandatory vaccine passports

01-Oct-2021 - Last updated on 01-Oct-2021 at 07:09 GMT

Plans published: Government proposals could see late-night venues require Covid passports in England (Credit: Getty Images / Luis Alvarez)

The Government has revealed that all nightclubs and other venues open after 1am with alcohol, music and dancing could be required to have vaccine passports should England need to resort to ‘Plan B’ of its Autumn and Winter Plan 2021.

The Government has published it plans for the contingency proposals and is asking for submissions by 11 October.

As set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, mandatory vaccine-only certification could potentially be introduced in certain settings as part of ‘Plan B’.

The plan for managing Covid-19 includes a contingency plan should the NHS start to become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.

The news comes as the Night Time Industries Association is launching a legal challenge against the Scottish Government over its lack of consultation on the implementation of vaccination passports.

Vaccine passports

The Government has already been warned that plans to hold vaccine passports in reserve while revealing in its ‘Plan B’ Winter Covid plan that compulsory face masks and ‘last resort’ lockdowns could be implemented could have a drastic impact on the pub sector.

The proposals published in a policy statement set out how, if introduced, all visitors aged over 18 to nightclubs and other venues that are open after 1am with alcohol, music and dancing, would be required to have vaccine passports.

The plan also revealed indoor events with 500 or more attendees, outdoor, crowded settings with 4,000 or more attendees – where those attendees are likely to stand and mix to a significant degree, and any settings with 10,000 or more attendees – such as large sports and music stadia – would also be included.

Sure footing

Staff aged 18 or over in settings could also be required to test regularly if they are not fully vaccinated or exempt, according to the proposals.

Health Minister Maggie Throup said this plan would put the country on a “sure footing” with the best possible chance of living with Covid-19 in the months ahead

“The vaccine programme has tilted the odds in our favour in our shared fight against this virus and, while we are totally confident the careful steps we are taking will help rule out the need for mandatory vaccine certificates, we need to be prepared for all scenarios,” she said.

“We know these kinds of contingency plans will only work if businesses and the public get to have their say and I’m urging everyone who could have to use certification: give us your views, give us your ideas.”

For the details of the proposals click here.