MPs have voted in favour of introducing Covid passes after approving the Government’s Plan B measures that will tighten the Covid restrictions in England.
MPs voted 369 to 126, majority 243, to approve the mandatory use of Covid passes for entry to nightclubs and large venues in England, but 96 Conservative MPs have voted against Boris Johnson’s proposals in a huge blow to the government.
It means a string of Plan B measures have been approved with Labour support - including the Covid passes for large venues, the extension of mandatory face masks and changes to self-isolation rules - but Boris Johnson has experienced the biggest rebellion of his premiership from backbench Conservative MPs.
Meanwhile Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the growth of Omicron cases in the UK is “now mirroring the rapid increase” in South Africa, as the variant becomes the dominant strain in London.
Speaking during a House of Commons debate on the introduction of Plan B measures, the cabinet minister said the variant represented a “grave threat” and had the potential to “overwhelm the NHS”.
