UK Government U-turn on Vaccine Passports
Scotland remains on course to introduce the Vaccine Passports for nightclubs and large events from next month.
The plan to introduce such Passports, which was due to be introduced at the end of this month, came under heavy fire from the Night Time Industries Association as well as UKHospitality and several MPs.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality had earlier told Drinks Industry Ireland that mandatory vaccine proof for venues would also “undoubtedly lead to a rise in illegal events where proper health and safety measures are – at best – routinely ignored and more often totally absent.
“Moreover, vaccine passports are not only costly and questionable as to their effectiveness but stifle the spontaneity that’s so crucial to so many enjoyable experiences in our sector.”
She’d also more recently described the proposal to introduce Vaccine Passports as “devastating” and welcomed the scrapping of the proposals this week, tweeting “Very welcome confirmation from @sajidjavid that Vaccine Passports will not be going ahead, listening to our concerns about impact on jobs, biz & customers as well as scientific concerns about efficacy. We will continue to ensure our venues and events are safe and mitigate risk.”
One MP, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, had described the Vaccine Passports as “divisive, unworkable and expensive”.
Savid Javid explained the UK government’s change of direction thus, “We’ve looked at it properly and whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for Vaccine Passports”.
In yet another U-turn from the UK Government Savid Javid explained that while he was not anticipating any more Lockdowns, it would be “irresponsible to take everything off the table”.
However Scotland remains on course to introduce the Vaccine Passports for nightclubs and large events from next month.
The UK government’s approach to Vaccine Passports was also described by the Labour Party as “shambolic from the start”, with “no clarity” or “objectives”.
