60% of us support vaccine passports to go for a pint

MOST people support the idea of vaccine passports – even when going for a pint or meal out – according to research.

A poll found that six in ten Britons believe the benefits to the economy of reopening venues safely outweigh the ethical concerns. And 62 per cent said that proof someone has had the jab should be a condition of entry to a pub or restaurant.

Some 7 per cent of the ,352 surveyed by Ipsos MORI also thought overseas travellers should show their Covid status, one option being considered by ministers.

Retail and hospitality bosses, however, warned that jab passports were a legal minefield that could lead to a surge in violence against staff. Trade associations said it could lead to breaches of equality laws.

Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, told the Confederation of British Industry: ‘From a consumer position, you will also have issues regarding frontline staff having to enforce the law about this.’

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove is leading a review into vaccine passports which will be published next week. Boris Johnson has said it may be up to ‘individual publicans’ to use them for entry.