The UK government’s plans to introduce coronavirus vaccine passports in order to gain entry into music venues and nightclubs in England has been scrapped.
The UK government’s health secretary Sajid Javid told the BBC, “I’m pleased to say we will not be going ahead. We shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it.”
The plan to have covid vaccine passports in order to gain entry to music venues and nightclubs was originally going to be introduced at the end of September 2021.
Earlier this month the vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi defended the proposed scheme as the "best way" to keep the night industry open, adding that “we are absolutely on track to continue to make sure that we do”.
Under the scheme, people would have been required to show proof – whether of double vaccination, a negative Covid test or finishing self-isolating after a positive PCR test – in order to gain entry to clubs and other crowded events.
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, the health secretary said: “I’ve never liked the idea of saying to people you must show your papers or something to do what is just an everyday activity, but we were right to properly look at it.
“We’ve looked at it properly and, whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports.”