A full coronavirus vaccination of both jabs will become a condition of entry to nightclubs from the autumn, according to the vaccines minister.
Nadhim Zahawi said that the measure also applies to other venues with large crowds.
He has spoken in the House of Commons about the measures, encouraged businesses to “use the NHS Covid pass in the weeks ahead”.
He went on: “We will be keeping a close watch on how it is used by venues and reserve the right to mandate if necessary.
“By the end of September everyone aged 18 and over will have the chance to receive full vaccination and the additional two weeks for that protection to really take hold.
“So at that point we plan to make full vaccination a condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.
“Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient
“Any decisions will of course be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and we will ensure that appropriate exemptions for those who have genuine medical reasons of why they can’t get vaccinated, and I’m clear we will always look at the evidence available and do all we can to ensure people can continue to do the things they love.”
He made the announcement as many of England's restrictions have been eased today (Monday), adding Lifting restrictions was a “long-awaited moment”, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said, but he warned: “We are not at the finish line yet.”
He told MPs: “Today marks an important milestone in our fight against this virus and we take step four on our road map.
“It is a long-awaited moment for the businesses who now can open their doors at long last, the happy couples who can have weddings without curbs on numbers and, of course, the people who can see more of their loved ones in care homes.
“Although we have made huge advances in our race between the vaccine and the virus, we are not at the finish line yet, instead we are entering what I believe to be the next stage, a stage where we continue with caution while doing what it takes to manage the risk of this virus which is still with us and still poses a threat.”
