Despite reports government had ditched all ideas of Covid passports it has emerged that an imminent U-turn in the autumn will require restaurant and pub goers to produce one.
National media are now saying that government is focusing the potential requirement for passports squarely on hospitality venues including pubs, bars and restaurants.
In advance of an anticipated fourth wave ministers are reviewing a need for customers to prove they have had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, or provide proof of a negative test no less than 24 hours prior to any hospitality visit.
The Independent and others are reporting the motivation behind the change stems from government’s latest ‘tactic’ designed to encourage more young people to vaccinate as they now present the greatest risk of contracting and passing on infection.
This is despite Public Health England figures showing almost 87% per cent of people in England having had the first dose of vaccine and 66% both.
For reasons not yet clear vaccines administered and the populations willingness to be vaccinated have both declined in recent months showing them at their lowest since April. Rumours that charging for vaccinations are imminent could be misconstrued and deter some from coming forward.
In advance of all capacity limits restricting people visiting restaurants and pubs being lifted 19 July, as well as sporting events including football, rising levels of Delta variant infections have alarmed some in Cabinet.
In the past week, a total of 216,249 infections have been registered, up from 161,981 cases the week before. Hospital admissions are also rising but not as fast, for the week ending 9 July 509 were recorded, totalling 2,672, an increase of 56%.
On Monday, the PM is due to make his final announcement on easing all restrictions 19 July, in his haste to provide as much good news as he possibly could last Monday, his enthusiasm is looking to be ahead of any real planning, and is being brought into question across the world.
The euphoria following last week’s announcements of intention to ease everything, could quickly rebound if found to be wishful thinking based on seeking to be popular rather than being transparent.
Hospitality has already been through more than enough in the past 18 months to once again be let down by rhetoric. Unlike last week’s mixed messaging, a clear message needs to be delivered enabling businesses across hospitality to make solid plans and execute them without any further interruption.
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Hospitality & Catering News: Government considering a U-turn on Covid passports to hospitality in autumn. – 10 July 2021 – Government considering a U-turn on Covid passports to hospitality in autumn.
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