Signal
So much for not being a nation of checkpoints.
JACK NEWMAN FOR MAILONLINE
Ministers ‘plan to force bars, clubs and restaurants to demand proof of two jabs or negative test from autumn’ to help tackle fourth wave of the virus
- The government hopes Covid passports will encourage vaccine-shy young people to get jabbed
- By September, all adults over 18 should have been offered both vaccine doses, allowing for the passports
- Patrons will need to show proof of either two vaccine doses or a recent negative test under the proposals
Britons will need Covid certificates to enter pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs under plans to stop a fourth wave of the virus in the autumn.
Experts hope the move will boost the stalling vaccination rates among young people and stave off another surge in cases.
The proposals would see entertainment venues in England demanding vaccination passports as proof of either two doses or a recent negative test.
It is hoped (vaccine passports) will spur the vaccine-shy young to get jabbed so they do not miss out on going to pubs and clubs.
The Government’s certification review release earlier in the week said although the so-called vaccine passports would not be mandated now, it did not rule out the prospect if England faces ‘a difficult situation in autumn or winter’.
It comes amid a reduction in the vaccine take-up, with first doses halving in two weeks as numbers drop below 100,000 a day for the first time since April.
The government had decided not to enforce Covid passports now because it would discriminate against younger people who have not been able to receive their second vaccination yet, The Times reported.
There are also fears it could damage the economy with people being turned away from the struggling hospitality industry.
But ministers believe that all over 18s will have been offered both doses by September and therefore vaccine passports can be enforced in venues where social distancing is….
