By Tony O’Riley-
Discriminatory Covid vaccination passports will prevent millions of people from shopping in the UK.
The passports, which provides proof of vaccination, either in paper form or through an app, will be demanded by some shops later this year, the British government has said.
The British Government did not mention which shops specifically would demand evidence of vaccine passports, leaving it vague as to which shops will demand evidence of vaccination as a requirement for entry to shop in their premises.
Over half of the UK’s population of 60 million have already been vaccinated.
Millions of people who are worried about the potential risks to the vaccine, and have no plans to take the vaccine, will be unable to shop in those shops which demand vaccination passports.
A very small percentage of those who have been vaccinated have experienced blood clots, but the vast majority have been fine.
Millions of brits will also not be able to eat in restaurants unless they are unable to evidence vaccine passports.
The draconian system to be introduced by the British government later this year, faces fierce opposition to this, with Labour and several Tories against it.
However, Boris Johnson, who enjoys a huge majority in the Commons, may be able to overcome the opposition.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested that the UK was moving towards a system of vaccine passports, although certain “essential areas” of life would be unaffected by it.
The proposals to mandate a vaccine passport as a requirement to enjoy freedom previously enjoyed by the British public, particularly riddled with flaws because of the government’s declared position that vaccines do not provide absolute protection from catching the virus.
Role Of Vaccines In Settings
A government review into “Covid status certification” found they could “potentially play a role” in settings such as theatres, nightclubs and mass events, and might also be used in pubs and restaurants to reduce social distancing restrictions.
The prospect of having to show a certificate to access shops or bars has outraged members of the Covid Recovery Group (CRG) of Conservatives, while Labour hit out at the “discriminatory” and “poorly thought-through” proposals.
The government’s review also suggested that if an official system is not introduced, businesses – including retailers – could still ask customers for proof of Covid status, in order to access their premises anyway.
While the interim findings of the government’s review said public transport and essential shops or services would not require vaccine passports, it left open the prospect of non-essential retailers being forced to check on their customers.
When asked if they might be needed for customers to be able to access high street shops at a later stage this year, the spokesman told The Times: “We are looking at how Covid status certificates could have an important role to play domestically as well as internationally,” he said.
“We will come forward with more detail on them and how they may work in due course.”
The use of certificates – which would include vaccination status, test results or evidence of someone having contracted and recovered from Covid-19 – is opposed by at least 40 Conservative MPs.
With Labour’s opposition also hardening, along with the SNP raising concerns, the government would face difficulties in getting the measures through the House of Commons if Johnson pushed them to a vote.
“While Covid status certification may play an important role in certain activities, such as international travel, our members are clear that it would not be appropriate or useful in a retail setting,” chief executive Helen Dickinson said.
“High streets and other shopping destinations rely on impulse and ad hoc purchases from customers who visit; this would be badly affected by the additional barriers to trade.
“Instead, we believe that continuing to follow the existing strict safety protocols, including regular cleaning, face coverings, and regular hand washing are the best course of action to protect staff and customers in stores.
Shops that insist on vaccination passports are likely to experience a dramatic fall in sales, as they try to catch up with lost revenues brought about by three lockdowns in the UK.