BORIS Johnson suggested today that vaccine certificates ARE on the cards – but they might not come in until AFTER everyone has been offered a jab appointment.
The PM gave a massive hint today that the certificates would be needed for international travel – as he revealed he would say more in early April about the plans – either on the 5th or 12th.
The PM sparked frantic discussion last night when he suggested pub landlords might be able to choose if they want to ban people from their venues if they haven’t had a vaccine.
The PM told MPs yesterday it “may be up to the landlord” — adding: “The concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us.”
But MPs and pub bosses hit back – saying it could hamper the recovery and would discriminate against people who may not be able to have the jab.
More than 28million people have had their first jab.
He said this morning: “We are looking at the issues that are raised by vaccination.
“Lots of countries are thinking about using some kind of vaccine passports.”
The PM said “no decisions have been taken” yet on what might happen with vaccine passports – but that news was coming on either April 5 or April 12.
He suggested people may need to show a negative test, proof they have had the virus, or a vaccine stamp – but refused to be drawn on what it would be for except for foreign holidays.
But when asked again if people might need a vaccine passport for the pub, he said: “All sorts of things are being considered, it’s premature to start talking about that.”
Brits will have to wait until early April for a final decision.
He added: “I think we need to think carefully about the issues, as I’ve said before.
“There are some people who you know, for medical reasons, can’t get a vaccination. Pregnant women can’t get a vaccination.
“You might only be able to implement a thorough-going vaccination passport scheme, even if you wanted such a thing, in the context of you know, when absolutely everybody had been offered a vaccine.”
In Israel, the lure of pubs and bars has been used to encourage younger people to have the vaccine.
Similar plans are being studied here but will meet fierce resistance.
The Covid Research Group of 50 backbench Conservatives last night warned: “We must not fall into this ghastly trap.”
Boss Steve Baker said the PM was treading a dangerous path when he opened the door to Covid certificates.
He added: “First they said we’ll need them to watch the football, and today that it may be papers for the pub.”
Meanwhile it may be that pubs and nightclubs could be allowed to ditch social distancing rules if they adopt Covid vaccine regimes.
Ministers are considering allowing bars and big events to abandon tough rules if they operate coronavirus ‘status checks’.
Pubs spent millions on implementing social distancing measures last year including arrows and space markers on floors and ensuring tables were set out with a two-metre distance between groups.
Outdoor hospitality is due to reopen next month, but pubs can’t open indoors until May.
