UK Feels Covid Certificates Key To Curb Covid 19 Spread

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  • It would be ‘remiss’ of the government not to consider Covid certification as a way of fully reopening the economy, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi says.
  • Amid criticism of the plans, Mr Zahawi said that It’s only right that we look at all these options that are available to us to take our lives back.
  • The government said certificates showing vaccination, test or immunity status could “provide reassurance”.

A recently published BBC news article highlights that Covid passport is one option to curb covid spread.

Boris Johnson and his view points

Boris Johnson said they could help signal a person is not contagious.

Speaking on a visit to an AstraZeneca factory in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Mr Johnson said Covid certificates – also referred to as passports – would not be rolled out until well after indoor hospitality reopens from 17 May.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was open-minded about using certificates to allow certain activities to resume, and called for an open debate.

But many MPs have criticised the plans, with senior Tory backbencher Mark Harper warning it could lead to a “two-tier” Britain, demanding a vote on the issue.

Warning from Government scientific advisers

Government scientific advisers have warned indoor mixing later in the year would be “highly likely” to lead to a resurgence in hospitalisations and deaths.

Mr Zahawi said the prediction – by SPI-M, a group that feeds into the government’s scientific advisory group, Sage – was why England’s roadmap out of lockdown had five-week intervals.

The UK government said it was working with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to seek a “consistent approach”.

Mr Johnson has the power to set public health regulations for England, but it is a devolved power in the other UK nations.

A government review

A government review is currently being carried out to see how certificates that show testing status could work in England – and they are going to be trialled at upcoming events including the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

A series of trials – including comedy nights and a large nightclub event – are also planned in Liverpool to see whether requiring participants to have a negative test can allow big indoor gatherings to be held more safely.

No decision has yet been made on whether Covid status certificates will be introduced, but the government has now published an update on its review.

It said they could play a role in allowing people to return to theatres, nightclubs and mass events like festivals, and could allow social distancing to be relaxed in hospitality venues.

“Even without government intervention, Covid status certification is likely to become a feature of our lives until the threat from the pandemic recedes,” it added.

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Source: BBC