In news that will surprise no one, Sajid Javid has told the House of Commons that the Government intends to change the definition of “fully vaccinated” to exclude those who’ve merely been double jabbed, so only those who’ve been triple jabbed will be entitled to a Covid passport. MailOnline has more.
The Health Secretary told the Commons that the Government intends to change the definition as soon as all adults have had a “reasonable chance” to get a booster.
The comment came after Boris Johnson’s bid to ramp up the rollout risked descending into shambles, with booking websites crashing and huge queues at walk-in centres.
Mr Javid ran the gauntlet of Tory anger at the new ‘Plan B’ restrictions to tackle the Omicron variant in the Commons this evening. More than 70 MPs are threatening to rebel in crunch votes on the plans tomorrow.
He pointed out that the incoming rules on Covid passes meant that from Wednesday people will need to show a negative lateral flow test to go to nightclubs or large events.
Javid said that those who are double-jabbed will be exempt – but added: “Once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get their booster jabs we intend to change this exemption to require a booster dose.”
The Cabinet minister significantly refused to give an exact timeline, amid criticism that the government is not being clear about whether all adults will get dates for jabs that fall before January 1st – or whether the bookings will be merely made before New Year’s Day.
Meanwhile, the new regulations bringing in ‘Plan B’ measures have finally been published – barely 24 hours before the votes are due.
People could be fined £10,000 if they try to falsify a Covid pass or test result.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and Events) (England) Regulations 2021 make it an offence to make, adapt, supply or offer to supply ‘false evidence of Covid status to another person’ which is known to be ‘false or misleading’ and this will be punishable by a fixed penalty notice (FPN).
Other offences under the regulations also could result in fines for breaking the rules. These include a £1,000 FPN in the first instance, reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days, for example for venues who do not comply with the rules or ignore improvement notices issued by councils.
The fines double for the second and third offences (£2,000 and then £4,000), jumping to £10,000 for the fourth or any subsequent offences thereafter.
Johnson begged Tories to back his ‘Plan B’ Covid curbs today amid fears more than 70 will rebel in a crunch vote tomorrow.
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