‘No justification' for ‘discriminatory' Covid passports
A review into the use of Covid-status certification has recommended that the government abandon the idea, as it would "place new burdens and costs on those industries which have already suffered significantly".
The cross-party Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee published a damning report over the weekend that said the introduction of a domestic Covid-status certification system would have a "serious impact on businesses and individuals", with the possibility of infringing rights and being discriminatory.
The report said the committee did not think the government had "made a case for any form of domestic Covid status certification" and that the success of the vaccination programme made it "unnecessary".
The committee was not convinced Covid passports would increase the public's confidence in returning to pubs, restaurants, comedy clubs, theatres or sports stadia, but said that it would place new burdens and costs on those industries and instead be detrimental to the UK's cultural, social and economic interests.
The committee also expressed concerns that the government had pre-empted the conclusions of its own review and made decisions on a largely arbitrary basis as to what locations will be included or exempted from the system, regardless of the scientific evidence. Although it has been indicated by the government that certification might be used for venues such as nightclubs, large events like football matches and for international air travel, it has also been said the system would not be used for the Underground, pubs or restaurants.
Hospitality business owners previously told The Caterer such a scheme could create a "nightmare" for venues by putting staff in a difficult position and causing a drop in trade.
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