Vaccine passports could be our route to a normal life

There’s been a lot of debate over the past week about the potential use of “vaccine passports” for people visiting pubs and restaurants, and travelling abroad in the summer.

The digital certificate would enable hospitality venues to grant entry only to customers who have been fully vaccinated, received negative tests or developed antibodies through past infection, but there are mixed views on whether the scheme would be fair and effective.

According to a new poll, 62% of Brits say they would be fine using one, and I can’t say I would have any problem being asked to prove I’ve had my vaccine. Yes, there will always be people who are suspicious of any programme that feels like “Big Brother” is watching but if we want to travel, meet friends and get back towards normal life, concessions will have to be made. We agree to receive vaccines against diseases such as cholera and malaria before travelling to certain countries, so why shouldn’t the same be said for Covid?

None of us wants to go through another year like the one we just had, so we need to start putting safety measures in place

– and quickly.