SHOW BOSSES BACK VACCINE PASSPORT BID
The creators of Britain’s favourite classic events call for proof of jabs to open up sooner – but not all clubs are happy about it
The organisers of some of the UK’s best-known classic car shows are supportive of vaccine passports in order to bring back shows as early as this summer.
A petition calling for vaccine passports not to be introduced has attracted more than 300,000 signatures but show operators including Brand Events, which organises CarFest and the London Classic Car Show, believe that a scheme would support jobs, get shows open again and keep classic fans safe.
Brand Events’ operations director, Neil Levene, said: ‘Should the introduction of a vaccine passport help us to deliver a bigger show to more people then we would give its benefits serious evaluation.’
The country’s event organisers are largely supportive of a vaccine passport system that could allow larger and less restricted events at an earlier date, but clubs, the public and the government have all raised ethical concerns in the wake of the suggestion. Most events will be allowed from 17 May in England, if the current timetable remains, but these will be limited to 50 per cent capacity, or 1000 indoors and 5000 outdoors, whichever figure is lower. A vaccine passport system, it has been suggested, will allow events to return to full capacity much sooner, with proof of vaccination required for admission. Clarion Events show director and organiser of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, Lee Masters, told Classic Car Weekly: ‘ Whilst still under discussion, [vaccine passports] may be required to help keep people safe but will also help build confidence in our community in attending live events again and that can only be positive. COVID-19 has hit the live events sector very hard with many people losing their jobs.’ Brand Events’ operations director, Neil Levene, said: ‘Should the introduction of a vaccine passport help us to deliver a bigger show to more people then we will, of course, give its benefits due serious evaluation.’ A vaccine passport system could also potentially allow events to be run with fewer distancing protocols in place, thereby increasing the quality of the event as well as the capacity. The TVR Car Club’s PR, social media and marketing communications officer, Mark Tickle, said: ‘ We try to be very open and friendly at events, with no ropes and no restrictions on who can get in cars. If vaccine passports enabled us to operate in this way again, we would support them. ‘Of course, it does depend on the actual costs – but given that we haven’t been able to spend on events so far, if its reasonable then we would do it.’ However, parliament was forced to debate opposition to the idea on 15 March following a petition that gained 300,000 signatures. It stated: ‘Such passports could be used to restrict the rights of people who have refused a COVID-19 vaccine, which would be unacceptable.’ The MG Car Club echoed these concerns. A spokesperson said: ‘ We would not like to think that entry to any of our events discriminated against anyone who did not take the vaccine either for medical reasons or reasons of personal choice. ‘ We would make it clear to those who attend events without having been vaccinated, though, that they attend at their own risk.’ The government’s response following the debate has so far been somewhat non-committal, with it refusing to rule out the use of vaccine passports but acknowledging the ethical issues inherent therein. It has promised, however, to come to a decision in the lead up to ‘Step 4’ of England’s lockdown roadmap, which is currently scheduled for 21 June.