By Ben Kerrigan-
An eight-page report by the British government has said Covid status certification “is likely to become a feature of our lives until the threat from the pandemic recedes” and that it would be an “unjustified intrusion” for the Government to look to ban businesses from demanding it as a prerequisite for entry to their properties.
The report follows a huge rebellion from Tory Mps against the idea of vaccination passports in the UK, also described by opposition leader Keir Starmer as not being British.
However, Government minister Mr Argar said his colleague Mr Gove was looking at whether the country should follow Israel’s lead in giving greater freedoms to those who have been vaccinated.
Asked about vaccine passports, he told the BBC: “I don’t think anyone would wish to do it but I think it is right that it is looked at as: ‘Can this help us go a little bit faster and get our country back to normal?’”
Covid certificates could potentially be used to show an individual has received the vaccine, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has “natural immunity”, having tested positive in the previous six months, according to a No 10 paper on the work of the lockdown taskforces.
Covid certificates could potentially be used to show an individual has received the vaccine, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has “natural immunity”, having tested positive in the previous six months, according to a No 10 paper on the work of the lockdown taskforces.
Reservations
Senior Labour shadow cabinet member Rachel Reeves expressed the “many reservations” about their domestic deployment, while more than 40 Tory MPs have signed a cross-party letter opposing vaccine passports, meaning it could be a tight result.
Spectators at events over the coming weeks, such as the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, and the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 15, will be required to be tested for Covid-19 both before and after the event.
They will not, however, have to show proof of a vaccine for now. Covid status certificates which could be a mobile phone app or a paper document – will never be required for essential services such as supermarkets, public transport or GP surgeries but could be useful for managing the risks at music festivals, sporting matches and nightclubs.
Realistic
The Prime Minister has previously indicated that vaccine proof will be likely for those wanting to travel internationally.
But, in a sign that foreign holidays could be off the cards this summer, Mr Johnson said the UK must be “realistic” over the resumption of foreign holidays due to “a surge” of coronavirus in popular destinations.
The initial findings of the global travel taskforce review published on Monday said it was too early to say whether holidays abroad could be permitted from May 17, with international holidays currently banned during the lockdown.
Downing Street has confirmed that when the rules are relaxed there will be a risk-based “traffic light” system with red, amber and green ratings for countries around the world.
Travellers arriving from countries rated green will not be required to isolate although pre-departure and post-arrival tests will still be needed.