UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that plans for “Covid Passports” have been officially scrapped.
The implementation of these passports would have meant that those without double COVID-19 vaccinations would legally not be allowed to attend nightclubs or any other large-scale social events in the UK.
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show recently, Javid said: “We just shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it or because others are doing, and we should look at every possible intervention properly. I never liked the idea of saying to people ‘you must show your papers to do what is just an everyday activity.’ We’ve looked at it properly and, whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports.”
Just last week, vaccine ministers defended vaccine passports, claiming it was the best way to ensure the survival of the nightclub industry. Supposedly, the passport would enforce double vaccination status, a negative coronavirus test, or an individual finishing their course self-isolation after a positive PCR test to enter clubs or crowded fixtures.
Before the denouncement of the passports, there was mass outrage by the British public. Many viewed the passports as the government back-peddling on their initial COVID-19 roadmap plans.
With the government looking to offer coronavirus jabs to children aged 12-15, the medical and hospitality industries are prepping for a tumultuous winter. Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “We know that winter is going to be difficult. The NHS is fearing the worst winter in living memory. We know we’re going to have more flu, more respiratory problems, norovirus. So, we need to prepare our NHS for winter.”
Also, the Health Secretary mentioned that he wanted to get rid of PCR tests for travelling abroad but also lamented he would not fully promise that there wouldn’t be another national lockdown. Fortunately, according to Javid, another lockdown isn’t expected anytime soon.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We’ve got to do everything that’s right to protect the country. But the way things are going at the moment, we’re very confident in the steps that we’ve taken.”
