The government has today published the policy
proposal for mandatory vaccine certification as a contingency
measure under the government’s Autumn and Winter Plan.
As set out by the Prime Minister on 14 September, mandatory
vaccine-only certification could potentially be introduced in
certain settings as part of ‘Plan B’.
However, the government remains confident ‘Plan A’ will prevent
the NHS from facing unsustainable pressure and certification will
not be required.
In the event Plan B is adopted in response to changing data and
unsustainable pressure on the NHS, the government will need to
act swiftly and potentially adopt measures, like vaccine
certification, at short notice. The government is therefore
publishing this detailed proposal now in order to allow time for
businesses to prepare.
The government continues to encourage the voluntary use of
certification and the NHS COVID Pass.
The government carried out a review into COVID-status
certification earlier this year, which concluded that
certification could have a role to play in keeping events going
and businesses open if the country is facing a difficult time in
autumn and winter. The proposal published today draws on the
findings of the review, on evidence from the Events Research
Programme which trialed the use of certification, and on views
from organisations, experts and the public gathered over the
course of the review and since its conclusion.
Over 200 events and venues have used certification on a voluntary
basis over the summer, including matches in the Premier League,
festivals such as the Reading and Leeds Festivals and All Points
East, some nightclubs, and the BBC Proms. 11% of people have
already been asked to show proof of vaccination or a recent
negative test to enter an event or venue, and the NHS COVID Pass
on the NHS app provides an easy way to check your COVID status.
The government is asking for views on its proposals by 12 October
and in the coming weeks, government officials will be directly
engaging businesses and key stakeholder representative groups.
Health Minister said:
Our Autumn and Winter plan puts us on a sure footing and gives
the whole country the best possible chance of living with
COVID-19 in the months ahead, without the need for unwanted
social and economic restrictions.
The vaccine programme has tilted the odds in our favour in our
shared fight against this virus and while we are totally
confident the careful steps we are taking will help rule out the
need for mandatory vaccine certificates, we need to be prepared
for all scenarios.
We know these kinds of contingency plans will only work if
businesses and the public get to have their say and I’m urging
everyone who could have to use certification: give us your views,
give us your ideas.
The government is particularly interested in views from
businesses, event organisers, and venue operators that have
experience of using certification on a voluntary basis over the
summer, and on the proposals for testing or vaccination of their
workforce.
The views shared will enable the Government to take into account
relevant comments and views, and make any necessary changes.
The proposals published in a policy statement today set out how,
if introduced, all visitors 18 and over to the following settings
could be required to be fully vaccinated:
- all nightclubs, and other venues open after 1am with alcohol,
music, and dancing;
- indoor events with 500 or more attendees where those
attendees are likely to stand and mix to a significant degree, or
move around during the event, such as music venues or large
receptions;
- outdoor, crowded settings with 4,000 or more attendees where
those attendees are likely to stand, or move around during the
event, such as outdoor festivals; and
- any settings with 10,000 or more attendees, such as large
sports and music stadia. Staff aged 18 or over in settings could
also be required to test regularly if they are not fully
vaccinated or exempt.
Thanks to the phenomenal success of the vaccination programme,
the data continues to show the link between cases,
hospitalisations and deaths has weakened significantly. Plan B
recognises this success – prioritising measures which can help
control the spread of the virus, while seeking to minimise
economic and social impact.
The COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan aims to sustain the
progress made and prepare the country for future challenges,
while ensuring the NHS does not come under unsustainable pressure
during this period.
Five key measures are being implemented as part of Plan A to
avoid the need to deploy Plan B: Building our defences through
pharmaceutical interventions:
- Identifying and isolating positive cases to limit
transmission;
- Supporting the NHS and social care;
- Advising people on how to protect themselves and others; and
- Pursuing an international approach
Plans outlined by the government in its Winter Plan include
rolling out booster vaccines to the most vulnerable, continuing
to offer free rapid lateral flow tests, and backing the NHS with
the funding needed to provide care through the winter months.
