PLANS to introduce Covid vaccine passports have been SCRAPPED as Sajid Javid confirms people won’t need them to get into nightclubs and cinemas.
The Health Secretary revealed this morning that Covid certification passports won’t be introduced as a measure to fight the virus as we enter the winter months.
He told the BBC today: “I am pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports.”
Just days ago, the Health Sec refused to rule out vaccine passports for pubs, clubs and restaurants — but denied there would be a firebreak lockdown in October.
And on Friday Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden hinted that they would be “further extending” the use of Covid ID beyond just nightclubs and large indoor venues.
But now the Health Secretary has confirmed that Covid certification won’t be in the Government’s armour as we battle the virus in the winter.
Boris Johnson is primed to announce at a press conference that he has abandoned the proposed compulsory certification scheme – which would have forced venues to check punter’s vaccine status.
This comes as No 10 is preparing to unveil contingency plans next week for keeping the economy open this winter if there is a Covid surge.
Previously, it was reported that Tory MPs were furious about the PM’s vaccine passport blueprint – with more than 50 poised to rebel against it in a Commons vote.
Steve Baker, deputy head of the Covid Research Group, said it’s “increasingly plain” the plan is about “coercing the young” into getting jabbed.
Rebel leader Mark Harper added that vaccine ID will be “pointless, damaging, and discriminatory”.
And earlier today, Mr Javid also confirmed that PRC tests for double-vaccinated Brit holidaymakers will be scrapped “as soon as possible.”
The Health Secretary revealed he’s already asked officials to get rid of travel testing rules, as they shouldn’t be in place for a second longer than “absolutely necessary.”
Mr Javid said this morning he personally wants to get rid of PCR tests for travel “as soon as I possibly can”.
The Health Secretary told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips On Sunday: “I’m not going to make that decision right now.
“But I’ve already asked the officials that the moment we can, let’s get rid of these kinds of intrusions.
VAX PASSPORTS SCRAPPED
“The cost that generates for families, particularly families just trying to go out and holiday, you know we shouldn’t be keeping anything like that in place for a second longer than is absolutely necessary.”
Boris Johnson will outline his Covid winter plan next week, revealing everything in our “toolbox” to battle the virus during the winter months.
The PM is expected to say that vaccines will continue to be the first line of defence over the autumn and winter – a high-risk time for Covid as other respiratory illnesses circulate.
The independent Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation is also poised to recommend details of a jab booster programme next week so that Brits are protected in the coming months.
Those who are vulnerable may receive their boosters as early as this month.
Several other countries – including the US, Israel, Hungary, Germany and France – have announced or have already started third dose programmes for some of their citizens.
This comes as….
- Boris Johnson to hold major press conference next week to unveil Covid winter plan
- Javid confirms PCR tests for holidaymakers will be SCRAPPED ‘as soon as possible’
Another major step set to be revealed is that the powers held to shut down swathes of the economy and impose limits on gatherings and events will be repealed.
The red tape roll-back is part of a masterplan from the PM, who is desperate to avoid any further lockdowns.
The temporary closing or limiting access to schools and powers to detain infectious people under the Coronavirus Act — called draconian by some Tory MPs — are no longer seen as necessary.
Downing Street views vaccines as the country’s “first line of defence” as we enter autumn and look to winter.
But there are still fears across Whitehall of Covid circulating alongside flu — while the threat of a new variant concerns ministers.
Mr Johnson said: “Thanks to the efforts of the public, the NHS and our phenomenal vaccination programme, we reached Step 4 in our road map and life has returned to a sense of normality.
WINTER PLAN REVEAL
“These extraordinary times required necessary but intrusive measures. But I’m determined to get rid of any powers we no longer need because of our vaccine defences.
“I will set out the next phase in our Covid response shortly.”
And a mass covid jab rollout for kids aged 12 to 15-year-old is reported to be announced next week.
The move follows a review by the chief medical officers (CMOs) of all four UK nations, led by professor Chris Whitty.
Last week, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said children would receive only marginal health benefits, although it did consider the benefits of keeping kids in school.
In response to this, the UK’s chief medical officers have been drawing up advice for the Government on whether children aged 12 to 15 should be vaccinated.
