Frustration over ‘unworkable’ jab passports for bar customers

UNHAPPY AT IDEA

THE owners of some Leicestershire pubs have said they are “frustrated” about the idea of vaccine passports when lockdown measures ease.

Discussions are under way to determine whether pub-goers will require proof of vaccination.

Last week, Tory MP William Wragg asked the Prime Minister if Covid passports were “compatible with a free society”.

Boris Johnson replied that the idea “should not be totally alien to us”.

He also told the House of Commons: “It could be down to individual publicans.”

However, some county pub owners have said they are unhappy with the “impractical” idea.

Nick Mackenzie, the chief executive of national pub chain and brewer

Greene King, told the Mercury: “Barring entry to customers who haven’t had a vaccine would be totally unworkable. “It would add significant cost and make pubs unavailable at a time when the industry is planning to start to rebuild after all restrictions are removed from June 21 as detailed in the government’s roadmap.

“Such a move would be impractical, could be discriminatory and it’s unacceptable for our team members, half of whom are under 25, to have to police these measures and deal with the fall-out from the significant number of customers who won’t have received a vaccine.” Sam Hagger, left, cofounder and director of the Beautiful Pubs Collective, which has venues around Leicester, was also disappointed by the discussions. “My question is why would this even be appropriate for pubs?,” he said. “Again, staggeringly, hospitality is being singled out despite there being no evidence it has any further impact on infection rates over other industries such as retail.

“Honestly, I find it frustrating. Legislatively, hospitality already has more lines of defence than any other industry to protect its guests. Furthermore, it has already been reported that hospitality operators have had a stronger desire to keep their teams and guests safe throughout the pandemic versus other sectors.

“I genuinely wish the government would more carefully consider their comments before sharing with wider audiences, especially in the wake of such challenging times.”

All pubs when they open will still be required to abide by the Covid safety measures that have already been established which include floor markings and hand sanitising stations.

Outdoor hospitality returns from April 12, and indoor hospitality can resume no earlier than May 17 in England.