SHOP owners may be able to choose whether to demand customers show proof of a jab before they enter under the Government’s vaccine passports plans.
It is set to be up to individual stores to enforce Covid certification, with ministers focussing on rolling out the scheme to “big, ticketed events”.
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Boris Johnson is facing a major Tory mutiny over the plans, with Labour also set to oppose the new paperwork on the grounds its “discriminatory”.
But the PM could be handed an unexpected lifeline by the SNP, which may back the blueprint giving him enough votes to get it over the line.
Earlier this week update on the review into vaccine passports, which is being led by Michael Gove, left open the possibility they could be used in shops.
But today a senior Government source told Politico there was “no prospect” of vaccine passports being made mandatory for high street stores.
However, they did add that individual businesses will be able to decide to enforce them of their own accord if they wish.
And under the plans pubs and restaurants that choose to demand proof of a jab would be able to ditch social distancing rules.
Ministers have ruled out banning non-essential shops and services from demanding Covid certificates of their customers.
They say that would be “an unjustified intrusion on how businesses choose to make their premises safe”.
But essential stores and services, like supermarkets and public transport, won’t be allowed to insist upon proof of vaccination.
Business minister Paul Scully today insisted that no decisions have yet been taken on how widely Covid papers will be used.
But he said the Government is primarily looking into their use for mass events such as football matches and music festivals.
He said: “The work that’s being done at the moment is concentrating on ticketed, big events and those kind of things.
“Because they are tougher to get back to a semblance of normal rather than the high streets with non-essential retails and hospitality including pubs.”
Mr Scully insisted ministers are looking at “the entire gamut around the ethics and the practicalities of a certification programme”.
And he added: “There’s a lot more work to be done, a lot more discussion and debate to be had on that over the coming weeks.
“There’s plenty of discussion, plenty of debate to look at before any decisions are taken.”
The business minister also insisted the UK is still “on target” to offer all adults a vaccine by the end of July despite a slowdown in jabbing.
On Monday the UK registered just 105,334 new vaccinations – the lowest daily figure since early January.
There have been concerns that worries over the AstraZeneca jab and rare clotting events could hamper Britain’s rollout too.
But today the Moderna shot is coming on stream in Wales, and Mr Scully said it will arrive in the rest of the UK “across the next few days”.
And he added the slowdown in jabbing was largely due to expected supply issues and the need to prioritise second vaccinations.
He said: “We always knew going into April that the supply was never going to be consistent right the way through the programme.
“We’ve also been concentrating on second jabs as well because people are coming up to their 12-week period since they had their first jab.
“It’s important we keep that programme going as well. As far as I can see everything is pointing to us remaining on target.”
