Nightclubs and cinemas are rejecting the Government’s vaccine passport advice

Virgin Radio

14 Jul 2021, 15:08

With England heading into the final stage of its route out of lockdown on Monday (19th July), nightclubs are finally set to reopen, with several saying they won’t request Covid-19 passports from clubbers once restrictions are lifted.

With restrictions set to be lifted on Monday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has encouraged nightclub owners and events organisers to only admit vaccinated customers, or those that have recently tested negative for Covid-19. 

Further to this, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “As a matter of social responsibility, we’re urging nightclubs and other venues with large crowds to make use of the NHS COVID Pass, which shows proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity as a means of entry.”

People in England can request an NHS COVID Pass, using the NHS website or app. The pass shows proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test reported on the NHS website within the last 48 hours, or proof of a double vaccination. The pass lasts for 28 days in QR code form.

However, as reported by The Times, Peter Marks, who is the head of the Rekom group that owns 42 venues across the country, said its venues will open “at full capacity and without any requirement for a negative Covid test, something we believe would create a barrier to both customer enjoyment and getting the industry back on its feet.”

Elsewhere, Aaron Mellor, who is founder of the nightclub chain Tokyo Industries said, “Many of our events have already been sold-out and to ask us now retrospectively to force a vaccine passport is super-difficult to manage.

“You’ve also got to consider that many of our target age group are people in the 18-25 bracket who haven’t had the option to have two vaccinations yet.”

As well as nightclubs rejecting the idea of vaccine passports, some cinemas are against it as well. UK Cinema Association chief executive Phil Clapp said, “We believe that the overwhelming majority of our members continue to oppose the notion that audience members should be required to show evidence of a double Covid vaccination or negative test before being allowed into their venues.”

Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said Transport for London will continue to enforce the wearing of face masks on services after 19th July.