Boris Johnson has made the announcement today (19 July).
Today marks the reopening of clubs and events in the UK, as the country makes its exit out of lockdown restrictions. Last week (12 July), the PM confirmed that clubs and events can go ahead from 19 July and recommended that Covid passports are used as a means of entry. However, Johnson has today done a U-turn and announced that passports with vaccination details will become mandatory for clubs and events from September. Ravers will not be given the option of showing a negative test.
“Nightclubs need to do the socially responsible thing and make use of the NHS Covid Pass as a means of entry,” he said. The government will make “full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather” by the end of September.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), has commented on the PM’s announcement, calling it “another chaotic U-turn”. He said: “Eighty percent of nightclubs have said they do not want to implement Covid passports, worrying about difficulties with enforcing the system and a reduction in spontaneous consumers, as well as being put at a competitive disadvantage with pubs and bars that aren’t subject to the same restrictions and yet provide similar environments.”
In his speech, Johnson said 35 percent of 18-30 year olds remain unvaccinated. Another 39,950 new cases have been reported across the UK today, along with 19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
