People will need to have proof of full vaccination to enter nightclubs and other “crowded venues” from the end of September, the vaccines minister has announced. Nadhim Zahawi said a negative coronavirus test would soon “no longer be sufficient” proof that a person was COVID-safe.
Speaking in the Commons on the day England’s nightclubs were allowed to open for the first time since March 2020, he urged businesses to use the NHS COVID pass, which shows if someone is vaccinated or that they have tested negative for the virus.
He added that in the next few weeks: “We will be keeping a close watch on how it is used by venues and reserve the right to mandate if necessary.”
Mr Zahawi said: “By the end of September everyone aged 18 and over will have the chance to receive full vaccination and the additional two weeks for that protection to really take hold.
“So at that point we plan to make full vaccination a condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.
“Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.”
It is hoped the announcement will help boost vaccine uptake among the under-30s, which is currently much lower than in older age groups.
In a news conference on Monday evening, Boris Johnson said 35% of 18 to 30-year-olds – three million people – were unvaccinated.
He urged young people to get fully-jabbed, saying it is the “right thing to help get back the freedoms you love”.
He added: “I would remind everybody that some of life’s most important pleasures and opportunities are likely to be increasingly dependent on vaccination.
“There are already countries that require you to be double-jabbed as a condition of quarantine free travel and that list seems likely to grow.
“And we are also concerned – as they are in other countries – by the continuing risk posed by nightclubs.”
Asked if there would be a vaccination requirement for pubs, Mr Johnson said he “certainly didn’t want to see” vaccine passports for bars, but that the government “reserved the right to do what’s necessary to protect the public”. / INFO: SKY NEWS