Majority of Brits support vaccine passports, survey says

A new Ipsos MORI UK KnowledgePanel poll of 8,352 people over 16 in the UK found six in 10 supported needing a ‘vaccine passport' to go to the pub or eat out in a restaurant.

There was particularly strong support for their use for people who are travelling abroad (78%), for visiting relatives in hospitals (74%) or care homes (78%). And seven in 10 say they should be needed to go to the theatre or an indoor concert (68%), and six in 10 to go to the gym (63%). Two-thirds also thought they should be needed to work in a restaurant or pub (65%).

While Britons recognised some of the ethical or legal issues surrounding vaccine passports, six in 10 thought the potential benefits to the economy outweighed any concerns (62%). Vaccine passports were seen as critical to getting businesses open (60%), and a good alternative to lockdowns (61%). They were also seen as a useful means of encouraging people to get vaccinated (61%).

Britons also suggested they may ‘vote with their feet'; for example, 65% said they would be more likely to buy a ticket for a large public event if they knew vaccine passports were in use there.

However, one in five also thought the ethical and legal concerns outweighed any potential benefits to the economy (22%), and half said that vaccine passports may lead to inequalities by restricting what people who haven't received the vaccine can do.

And requiring guests to show Covid vaccination status certification to enter restaurants, pubs or hotels would create a "nightmare" for businesses, hospitality venue owners warned, speaking to The Caterer earlier this week, and the measure has been opposed by all major hospitality trade bodies.

It is understood the results of a government review on the use of Covid certification is expected to be published in the coming weeks following the closure of the call for evidence this week.

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