On 19th July 2021, dubbed “Freedom day”, nightclubs were one of many venues allowed to open without restrictions. Boris Johnson also announced that there were plans to introduce COVID passport rules specifically for nightclubs. These rules would come into effect by the end of September.
Now as all over 18s have been offered two jabs, vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi has confirmed for the scheme to go ahead. Mr. Zahawi has justified his announcement by saying this ensures the economy remains open. Speaking to the BBC, he said “One thing that we have learnt is that in large gatherings of people, especially indoors, the virus tends to spike and spread.”
Currently, proof of full vaccination is available on the NHS app as a COVID pass. As it stands, by the end of September, COVID passports will be required to attend nightclubs, music venues, festivals, sports stadiums and large business events. Pubs will not mandate passports, neither will most public indoor or outdoor spaces.
Mr Zahawi has said he would do “everything in my power” to avoid another lockdown. His comments came after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided against backing the vaccination of youngsters on health grounds alone, given coronavirus presents such a low risk to them. He also commented on the Football Associations new rules to ask all clubs to make COVID passports and proof of negative tests mandatory: “If you look at what the FA has done, they’ve done so brilliantly in terms of checking vaccine status to reopen football. That is the sort of right thing to do and we are absolutely on track to continue to make sure that we do that.”
Industry reaction to the news of COVID passports for Nightclubs
The Night-Time Industries Association’s stance has been made very vocal in recent days. The NTIA are urging businesses and individuals to challenge COVID passports. They state here that “We need to ensure our voice is heard and must continue to drive the message home.”
Michael Kill, chief executive officer of the NTIA, has spoken openly stating, “Eighty per cent of nightclubs have said they do not want to implement Covid passports.” He says they have difficulties with enforcing the system and will be put in direct competition with “pubs and bars that aren’t subject to the same restrictions and yet provide similar environments.”
Reaction from the public has trended on being mostly negative. The welfare of nightclub businesses in general have been put into question and students are fearing for their regular evenings out.
To keep tabs on all the details related to COVID passports, stay tuned into NDML Insurance Brokers Industry News.
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