Vaccine passports set to be introduced ‘for autumn’
The government could introduce vaccine passports in the autumn in a bid to keep bars, restaurants and nightclubs open among an expected fourth wave of the pandemic.
The Times reported that under the plans entertainment venues would be forced to use such certificates from the autumn.
Punters will have to prove that they have either been double vaccinated or completed a negative test the day before to be allowed in.
It is understood that the move is designed to encourage younger people to get their Covid vaccine, with the number of new doses administered falling in recent weeks.
Such measures will not be put in place from 19 July, when all existing Covid restrictions are lifted, amid fears of discriminating against those who have not yet been fully vaccinated.
But later in the year they could become compulsory, the Times reported.
“In autumn vaccine passports could become an important tool that will allow us to keep things open,” a Downing Street source said.
Another government figure added: “If we can show real benefits of getting vaccinated in terms of everyday life then it could be quite a useful tool.”
The report comes as the date for lifting existing Covid restrictions nears, despite a rapid rise in cases due to the so-called Delta variant.