The U.K. Government is asking for public feedback on the use of domestic vaccine passports in indoor and outdoor venues if cases threaten to overwhelm the NHS this winter. The “Plan B” proposals could see nightclubs, concert halls, sporting events and outdoor festivals require proof of Covid vaccination status, with the opportunity to add more venues if necessary. The Telegraph has the story.
Ministers last night insisted the Government needed to be prepared to “act swiftly” and adopt measures such as vaccine passports “at short notice” if there were “unsustainable pressures” on the NHS as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Minister Maggie Troup said: “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.
“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.”
Industry and the public have been given until October 11th to respond to the planned vaccine passports, which would be mandatory for all adults over 18 attending the prescribed venues, and will require legislation.
Under the plan, only double-vaccinated people would be certified by the passports. Negative Covid tests and proof of natural immunity after recently recovering from the virus would no longer be permitted.
Worth reading in full.
If you don’t want to see vaccine passports introduced this Winter, please respond to the Government’s consultation here.
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