England Ditches Plans To Introduce Covid-19 Vaccine Passports For Access Into Nightclubs And Crowded Events
England’s health secretary Sajid Javid told BBC that the government has halted plans to introduce vaccine passports for access into nightclubs and large events.
The plan was scheduled to be introduced at the end of September 2021. It was however criticised by venues and MPs. Javid told BBC “We shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it.”. Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi had defended the introduction of Covid-19 vaccination passports as the “best way” to keep the night industry open.
Under the scheme, people would have been required to show proof – whether of double vaccination, a negative Covid test or finishing self-isolating after a positive PCR test – in order to gain entry to clubs and other crowded events.
Explaining why England had ditched the plan to introduce vaccine passports, Javid said Government had not given in to criticism from its own backbenchers. He said the passports were not needed because of other things in the “wall of defence” including high vaccine uptake, testing, surveillance and new treatments.
Meanwhile, Scotland will introduce vaccine passports for over-18s for entry to nightclubs and many large events from October.
More: BBC
