Covid certificates or ‘vaccine passports’ could become mandatory for entry into hospitality and entertainment venues
As written in The Times, it is thought that Covid certification – commonly referred to as vaccine passports – could be made mandatory in order to enter pubs, clubs, restaurants and entertainment venues, as the government looks to put in place practices that will stem infection rates and prevent a fourth wave of coronavirus.
The reported rationale is that by making proof of a Covid vaccination compulsory in public spaces where people eager to return to, going out and enjoying themselves, this will help boost jab rates among young people who will then in turn help increase overall levels of immunity.
According to Oliver Wright and Chris Smyth – The Times‘ Policy and Whitehall editors, respectively – sources indicate that “Entertainment venues in England would be forced to make customers use so-called vaccination passports from autumn, to prove that they had either had both doses or a negative test the day before”.
The latest figures have shown a reduction in the take-up of vaccines with the number of first doses handed out halving over the last two weeks. Fewer than 100,000 daily doses are now being given out on average for the first time since April, despite experts having believed we are already in the midst of a third wave.
Over 700,000 18-20-year-olds went and got their first jab once the vaccine became available but the entire under-30s age group is still considered a key demographic in the success of the vaccine rollout.
Currently, 86.8 per cent of people in England have had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and 65.5 per cent have had both, according to official figures from Public Health England. It is the success of the vaccination programme that has allowed the government to fell comfortable enough to finally end all social distancing measures on July 19th, i.e. ‘Freedom Day‘.
However, there have been 2,672 Covid-related hospital admissions in the last week (a jump of 55.9%), not to mention the number of coronavirus infections linked to the Delta variant increasing by 54,268 in the past week: a rise of 34%.
In total, 216,249 confirmed and probable cases of the Delta variant have been identified in the UK – up from 161,981 cases in the previous week – so it is no wonder that the government and general public are being prepared for a fourth spike following the end of lockdown in just over a week’s time.
The majority of UK remain at least uncertain over the relaxation of rules; while Britons are no doubt looking forward to going back to a life pre-lockdown, a recent poll by Ipsos MORI for The Economist shows that nearly 70% want to see face masks made compulsory in shops and on public transport for a certain period after July 19th.
Where do you stand on the issue? Do you want vaccine passports? Would you feel more comfortable keeping face coverings in place after Freedom Day? Or would you prefer measures to be down to personal preference rather than being mandatory?
