APPY DAYS ON WAY
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TRIALS of controversial vaccine passports for sports events, big festivals and nightclubs will start next week, Boris Johnson will announce tomorrow.
The Covid-Status Certificates will be available both digitally on an app and on paper signed by a GP.
And while pubs, shops and restaurants will reopen indoor areas without them from May 17, they may be forced to introduce them later.
But the Prime Minister will warn against booking foreign holidays just yet, as the May 17 roadmap date to lift the overseas travel ban may slip.
The first of nine events to trial the new passports will be at Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club on April 16.
Tickets for comics Jamie Sutherland, Paul Smith, Adam Rowe and Mick Ferry are already sold out.
The passports will act as proof the holder has been vaccinated, has immunity from having previously had Covid, or has tested negative.
A positive antibody test in the last six months will be enough to prove previous exposure. If trials go well a national rollout will start in June.
But the threat to force them on pubs and restaurants later if needed will anger the 40 Tory rebels already planning to vote against the scheme.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “This must be the last lockdown and we need to be cautious as we unlock.
“The big mistake was to come out of lockdown twice without proper safeguards in place. We must be led by the science about the timing.
“I’m concerned about the increase of infections in Europe.”
Another 3,423 cases were reported yesterday and 10 deaths – the lowest since September – as the number given their second jab passed the five million milestone. The passport pilot in Liverpool a week on Friday will be followed a day later by the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
Next will be the Leicester City v Southampton FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday April 18.
The trial will end with the FA Cup Final on May 15, with 20,000 fans.
Work is still going on to give pass
port exemptions to those who cannot be vaccinated, such as pregnant women or those who struggle with repeat tests.
Whitehall sources were unable to say how long the passports would be needed.
But Prof Melinda Mills, co-author of the British Academy and Royal Society report on vaccine rollout, expressed concern. She said: “If I need a test to show immunity, who pays?
“If people have to pay themselves we’re likely to see inequalities, because only those who can afford it will be able to go out.
“We’re also still understanding a lot about how long people are immune for, so that needs to be considered. And how are you going to check for forgery?”
When foreign travel resumes, hopefully on May 17, a risk-based traffic light system will be used.
Countries with high vaccination rates and where infection rates are starting to fall away, such as the US and Israel, will get the green light – meaning no restrictions on returning to the UK.
But negative tests will be needed before and after flights.
Travellers to red countries will go into quarantine hotels on their return, and those coming back from amber nations must self-isolate at home for 10 days.
It has sent UK holiday prices soaring, with a Newquay apartment advertised at £7,419 for a week in August, while a week in New York could cost just £2,696 for four, including flights.
Mr Johnson will also unveil plans to end the “one metre plus” rule to let friends and families hug, but is unlikely to give a timescale.