Government insiders say it is “almost certain” that vaccine passports will be required in domestic settings, such as for events of more than 1,000 people, and that fears over the Indian Covid variant and a “third wave” of infections could be used to justify the use of passes being extended later this year. Such an extension could see pubs and restaurants requiring vaccine passports, despite this having supposedly been “ruled out“. The Financial Times has the story.
Under the plans, proof of vaccine certification, stored on the NHS app, may be used for events of more than 1,000 people once the U.K. enters the next and final stage of its road map out of lockdown on June 21st, when premises such as nightclubs are set to be reopened.
There has been some uncertainty over whether a domestic vaccine passport scheme would be adopted in England, with some arguing they would prove exclusionary to the young and minority groups. Others have questioned whether they have a clear public health value.
Those in favour of the proposal note that the pass will allow proof of a recent negative Covid test or prior infection from the virus as alternatives to vaccination, preventing discrimination.
Legislation of some form is believed to be needed to allow a mandated domestic passport scheme to be brought in, and any such legislative move would have to be voted on in parliament.
The Government will soon move into the second phase of its evaluation of large events and the role of digital certification at a total of up to 10 events before June 21st – possibly including Royal Ascot on June 15th. For those unvaccinated, a rigorous testing regime will be required.
An individual briefed on the plans said phase two trials would include events with greater capacity to find “cracks in the system” and ensure “we are fully ready for the summer”. Some of the trials will include venues operating at full capacity.
A formal announcement on phase two of the trials is expected next week, which will include a mixture of events such as sports and music. One Government insider said: “The phase two trials will be bigger and better. We want to get crowds back safely in higher numbers.”
One senior Whitehall figure said: “The first phase of the trials has gone very well and it’s almost certain that vaccine certification will be required for large events.” The official added that passports for pubs and restaurants “have been ruled out”.
Another Whitehall figure said that although no final decision had been taken, “our focus has been on big events and higher capacity venues”.
… One Government insider involved with the scheme hinted that use of passports may be widened if the U.K. suffers from a third coronavirus wave later this year. “It may be that certification has a role to play in other venues to stop closures in the autumn or winter if there’s a big surge.”
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