A report in the Telegraph suggests that the Government could urge pubs, bars and restaurants to check vaccine passports. One pub in Norwich didn’t need any persuading and has become the first in the country to announce that it will discriminate against unvaccinated Brits.
Philip Cutter, the Landlord of The Gardeners Arms, decided to introduce vaccine checks after two of his 25 bar staff tested positive for Covid, forcing him to shut for 10 days, according to reports. He also appears to have been egged on by Public Health England, which warned against relying on people being honest when submitting Covid test results to show at the door. The MailOnline has more.
Customers will be asked to show their vaccination card or NHS phone app showing proof of vaccination before they are allowed in his pub and his neighbouring café and bar called The Murderers.
Mr Cutter said: “I have not heard of any other pubs doing this. It just seems a common sense thing to do to protect my staff and customers and my business going forward.
“I know nightclubs have been asked to consider looking into some sort of vaccination passport. We are a busy city centre venue so we are not very different.
“If we were in a position where this Delta variant was not running riot, then we would be looking at things slightly differently.
“But there is a lot of virus out there and I want to do my best to protect everyone in my building.”
Mr Cutter said that people would only be admitted with proof of having been vaccinated at least two weeks earlier to give them a chance to have developed antibodies.
He added: “I have had a lot of support from older customers who are really pleased and say they will feel more comfortable about coming in.
“However, there are one or two people who are virulently against the idea, and see it is as yet another measure to curtail their freedom.
“But with around 80% of British adults having been vaccinated, I think that the majority of people are going to be happy with it. …
“I don’t want to turn anyone away, but I have got to make a call to protect my customers, staff and business.
“All it takes is one person to come in with some semblance of the virus to pass it on.” …
He added: “We’re not trying to discriminate or embarrass anyone, we’re just trying to make sure our staff and customers are safe. …
“We spoke to Public Health England about doing lateral flow tests instead, but they said the issue is you have to trust the person who submits the details.”
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