Your name’s not on the (vaccine) list - you’re not getting in

Vaccine passports have been shelved - but many venues want proof of Covid status

MORE than one in 10 people have been asked to produce a “vaccine passport” to allow them entry into nightclubs, concerts, and sporting events. According to a Government survey, 11% of UK adults say they have been asked to show proof that they have been vaccinated, or have recently tested negative for coronavirus, before they have been allowed entry into venues.

It comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid said controversial plans for the Government to introduce mandatory “vaccine passports” to allow access into nightclubs and large events would not go ahead.

The scheme had been expected to be rolled out by the end of this month after Prime Minister Borish Johnson announced the “no jab, no entry” policy in July - despite opposition from the nightlife industry.

Mr Johnson had said that a full course of vaccination would be necessary to enter “nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather”, with proof of a negative test not sufficient.

However, Mr Javid told the BBC: "We shouldn't be doing things for the sake of it."

But while the Government's vaccine passport scheme is not being introduced, many venues have brought in their own checks for the safety of staff and customers.

Football fans, for example, are required to show proof of a full vaccination or negative lateral flow test before they are allowed into Premier League stadiums.

Music festivals and many smaller venues have also asked customers to show proof of a double vaccination or negative Covid-19 test before allowing entry.

According to a survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) between August 25 and September 5, people were most likely to be asked to prove their Covid-19 status at sporting events.

Of respondents who had been asked to show a vaccine passport, 22% had received the request at a football match or another sporting event.

Another 20% were asked for proof of Covid-19 status at a festival, 7% at an indoor concert, 11% at an outdoor music event, 11% at a theatre or comedy performance, and 6% at a nightclub or bar.

Younger people aged between 16 and 29, and adults aged between 30 and 49 were most likely to be asked for a vaccine passport. In both groups, 13% had been asked to show their Covid-19 certification.

In contrast, only 7% of people aged over 70 had received a request.

But, younger people are far less likely to be vaccinated than older age groups. That is due to the Government prioritising older people who are more at risk of serious illness or death from the virus.

Separate figures also show that people aged between 16 and 29 are most likely to refuse the Covid-19 vaccine.

Of that age group, 8% said they had either declined the offer to be vaccinated or admitted to being likely to refuse it, were it offered.

That compares to just 5% of people aged between 30 and 49, and 2% among the over 50s.

Meanwhile, Scotland's vaccine passport scheme will come into effect on October 1. It means people over the age of 18 will need to show proof they have had both doses of the vaccine before they are allowed entry into certain venues and events.