BRITS won’t ever need a vaccine passport to go to the supermarket, hop on public transport like buses and trains, or to access public services, the Government has vowed.
Ministers are considering introducing so-called Covid certificates to reopen mass events like football matches, theatre performances, and music festivals after June 21.
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And they are also looking at plans which would allow pubs and restaurants to ditch damaging social distancing rules which limit their capacity if they demand proof of a jab.
Under the scheme people would have to provide proof of vaccination, antibodies, or a recent negative test to enter certain venues.
The controversial plans have sparked a major backlash from Tory MPs and are also facing opposition from Labour, meaning the PM faces an uphill battle to get them past parliament.
Top cabinet minister Michael Gove is currently carrying out a rolling review into their possible deployment, with backbenchers already calling for him to rule out their use for a swathe of activities.
In an official update published yesterday No 10 strongly suggested jabs certificates are on the way and said it won’t stop businesses that want to use them to restrict access to their premises.
But it will look to legislate to ensure essential services like food shops and supermarkets, public transport, and public services can’t demand proof of a jab for entry.
The dossier says: “The Government believes that introducing a ban on this would in most cases be an unjustified intrusion on how businesses choose to make their premises safe.
“Although there may be exceptions where the Government needs to intervene to ensure equitable access to essential services.
“The Government believes that there are some settings such as essential public services, public transport and essential shops where COVID-status certification should never be required, in order to ensure access for all.”
But the review update doesn’t rule out their widespread use in many other parts of society like pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, music gigs, and football matches.
Under the scheme anyone who has been fully vaccinated would enjoy a free pass to return to normal life.
But it will be more difficult for others who haven’t had the jab.
Those who have had Covid will be able to provide proof of their positive test, which is then valid for six months as evidence of antibodies.
Everyone else will have to head to a test centre in the 24 hours before the event they want to attend and get a negative swab.
No10 insists the scheme is only temporary but may have to stay in place beyond the end of July when all adults will have been offered a vaccination.
It argues such drastic action will still be needed to avoid a surge in cases and a devastating third wave, despite the UK’s successful jabs rollout.
And it says vaccine passports would “likely become a feature of our lives” anyway as business would introduce such requirements themselves.
The review states: “The success of the UK’s vaccination programme does not provide universal protection.
“While it is certain that vaccines have at least some impact on transmission, the extent of this is still unknown.
“Even after two doses the vaccine will not be 100% effective and some people will not take up the offer of a vaccine.
“As a result, some measures may be required for a period after all adults have been offered a vaccine, in order to prevent a surge in hospitalisations which could put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.”
Ministers say vaccine passports will also play a key role in the reopening of international travel, with many countries set to demand them.
And the review also states pubs and restaurants could have to demand proof of a jab to remove social distancing requirements.
It says: “It is possible that COVID-status certification could also play a role in reducing social distancing requirements in other settings which people tend to visit more frequently, for example in hospitality settings.
“However, the Government recognises this has significant implications for businesses and their customers, so this will be further considered in consultation with industry.
“The Government believes that COVID-status certification could have an important role to play both domestically and internationally, as a temporary measure.
“It is therefore right that the Government provides a means of easily demonstrating COVID-status, in order to ensure UK citizens and residents are not denied opportunities to travel or attend certain venues or events.”
But the vaccine passport plan has already run into major trouble, with Labour threatening to team up with Tory rebels to vote it down.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the scheme risks being “discriminatory” and “unfair” and accused the PM of failing to be “honest” with people about how it will work.
He branded the blueprint an effective “digital ID card” by the back door and said the fact shops and pubs could ask for proof of a jab as a condition of entry is a major concern.
The intervention will cause No 10 a major headache, with a large mutiny already brewing on the Conservative benches as ministers confirmed they will hold a parliamentary vote over the plan.
So far 41 Tories have put their names to a letter calling vaccine passports “divisive and discriminatory”, putting the Government’s majority of 87 in jeopardy and meaning it may need the support of opposition MPs.
