Fans may need Covid certificates

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CORONAVIRUS certificates are being considered as a way of getting fans back to larger events “in significant numbers”, according to the Culture Secretary.

Oliver Dowden said that ministers were reviewing the possibility of introducing a document providing proof that a person has either been vaccinated against the virus or tested negative.

Mr Dowden said this could be used as part of the drive to return to normality, as he emphasised the importance of getting crowds back into stadiums and theatres this summer for the future of these industries.

Under the Government’s current plans for easing restrictions, crowds of up to 10,000 in the largest venues could be allowed at performances and sporting events from May 17.

It is hoped that all remaining restrictions on larger events and performances could be lifted from June 21, which is the earliest date for all legal limits on social contact to be removed.

The FA Cup Final and the World Snooker Championship are among the pilot events designed to test the largescale return of spectators to venues.

Mr Dowden told Sky News on Friday: “From June 21, if all goes to plan in the way that I described, we hope to get people back in significant numbers.

“We are considering a Covid certification, and we will be testing whether we can use Covid certification to help facilitate the return of sports.”

The Culture Secretary said that final decisions had not yet been made and that he was working with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, who is leading a review on this.