The government’s press conference yesterday saw the Prime Minister being ever so evasive in answering questions from the media about Covid passports. Yes Boris Johnson did answer in part, but almost no real detail was communicated.
The very idea of such a system will fly in the face of his liberal conservative viewpoint, but as he was speaking, the details of the conference announcements were being published by Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street.
The details published state clearly: “A Covid-status certification system will be developed over the coming months which could allow higher-risk settings to be opened up more safely and with more participants. Over the coming months, a system will be developed which will take into account three factors: vaccination, a recent negative test, or natural immunity (determined on the basis of a positive test taken in the previous six months).”
The statement is vague, it does not in any way clarify how a ‘Covid-status certification system’ would work, where it might apply, or when it would be introduced.
The government have confirmed that the NHS app is changing for every Test and Trace user from 8 April. From that date, everyone in a group will be required to check-in when entering a hospitality venue, rather than just one person.
The app will also require users who test positive to share their venue history in a privacy-protecting way via the Test and Trace system.
The checking in process at hospitality venues will require each venue to invest in resource to operate it, adding cost. It will also keep some customers away.
For every business planning is vital and as such clarity from the government on how ‘a Covid-status certification system’ would work, where it might apply, or when it would be introduced needs to be provided urgently. And if it will apply alongside test and trace, or replace it.
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Hospitality & Catering News: Covid passports, PM evasive, but scope to implement already published. – 6 April 2021 – Covid passports, PM evasive, but scope to implement already published.
