Covid passes plan wins vote after Zoom glitch
FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford’s plan to make Covid passes mandatory for nightclubs and mass events in Wales has been approved by the Senedd amid farcical scenes.
Welsh Labour’s high-profile policy had seemed set for a humiliating defeat with all three opposition parties pledging to vote against it, meaning the vote would have been tied.
A tied vote would have left the decision with Presiding Officer Elin Jones, who would have been obliged not to allow new legislation on to the statue books.
However, Tory MS Gareth Davies, who was joining the meeting remotely, was unable to get on to the Zoom software platform to cast his vote.
Labour’s Covid passes plan passed by 28 votes to 27.
The chamber, which is sitting in a hybrid format with some of the 60 members present and some attending remotedly, could hear an intervention by MS Darren Millar on behalf of his colleague Mr Davies, the MS for Vale of Clwyd.
Mr Millar was told by the Presiding Officer that all attempts to get him on to the relevant software had taken place.
It means the vote, which introduces new regulations to all people who live in Wales, was passed simply because of a Zoom error.
The relief on the faces of the Government and First Minister was clear to see.
The Welsh Government has said it wants to introduce a requirement for people to use the NHS Covid pass to show their vaccination status or recent negative test result before attending certain events.
The plan is for the scheme to come into force from Monday, October 11, at: Nightclubs Indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions
Outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people
Any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance
People who are fully vaccinated in Wales can already download the NHS Covid Pass to securely show and share their vaccine status. It also allows people to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.
A similar scheme is being introduced in Scotland from October 1.
Under the UK Government’s winter plan, vaccine certification will only be required for nightclubs and other large events in England if data suggests action is needed to “prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS”.
Labour has 30 seats so was expected to need the vote of at least one opposition Senedd member to pass the move.
Industry leaders have concerns over the scheme.
Night Time Industries Association Wales say it is “disappointed” that the Welsh Government is looking at passes.
“First and foremost we would like to reinforce our commitment to keeping staff and the public safe within the night time economy in Wales. We are disappointed that the Welsh Government has felt it must mandate Covid passports at this stage, albeit a more liberal implementation with the inclusion of testing. We still feel that these measures will have a negative impact on businesses, and will create considerable market distortion. Over the coming weeks we will have the opportunity to discuss the details further and assess the challenges for our sector,” a spokeswoman said.
During the Senedd debate Jane Dodds, the only Liberal Democrat MS in the Senedd, said she had supported the cautious approach in Wales and has made her proud but she said she could not support the motion. She asked colleagues to vote against the motion, saying people needed to concentrate on “what works”.
Russell George, Montgomeryshire MS, responded to the debate for the
Conservatives.
Mr George said it has been a “disaster” in Scotland and there were issues at the Labour Party conference in Brighton. He says he believes it will lead to a “two-tier society” in Wales.
“It simply undermines the freedom of choice,” says Mr George, urging the Welsh Government to “think again”.
Mr George said the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Cell advises against Covid passports.
“They concluded they had a detrimental effect on people’s motivation and willingness to have the vaccination”, he said, and added that he worried it could lead to a loss of trust with authorities.
“I really think these regulations will be a stumbling block to so many people,” he says.
Brecon and Radnorshire’s Conservative MS James Evans said he is “whole-heartedly” against any type of passport or pass.
He said: “Freedoms and democracies are hard won and anything that erodes personal freedom I cannot support.”
He said it would be a “slippery slope” to creating a twotiered society where those who cannot or do not have vaccines cannot attend certain places.
Plaid Cymru had also warned it would vote against the motion.
The party asked the Welsh Government to revoke this motion and work on it further, but that was rejected.
A statement from Plaid’s Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “We are not voting against because of issues of principle.
“We asked the Welsh Government to withdraw this motion and made it clear we’d contribute to discussions on how something more robust could be brought forward, better evidenced, and with clarity on implication. That offer is still open.”
Health Minister Eluned Morgan told the debate the introduction had not been taken lightly. She said the legal, practical and ethical considerations had all been looked at, but said the public health responsibilities that the Welsh Government faced were most important.
First and foremost we would like to reinforce our commitment to keeping staff and the public safe within the night time economy in Wales. We are disappointed that the Welsh Government has felt it must mandate Covid passports at this stage, albeit a more liberal implementation with the inclusion of testing Night Time Industries Association Wales