Matt Hancock has refused to rule out Covid vaccine passports being required to gain entry to pubs and other venues.
The Health Secretary told a Downing Street press conference that the Government was aware a certificate would be needed in some cases - such as entry into some countries.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove is leading a review into their possible use in the UK.
Asked whether they could be needed to go to the pub or attend a football match once coronavirus restrictions are over, Mr Hancock said: “This is an incredibly important subject.
“We know there are some areas where certification is going to be needed, for instance if a government of another country says you need to show that you’ve had a Covid vaccine.
“Obviously we then want to be able to help and enable people to show that certificate.
“But the wider questions have all been put into a review that Michael Gove is leading and I think it is best to allow that review to take evidence, to consider all the broad range of issues and then come to its conclusion.
“I’m sorry, I’m not going to be more specific than that – I don’t want to fetter the discretion of the review and I think it is right that we take our time to think about this.”
Jonathan Van-Tam said it is up to the public to hold their nerve and obey coronavirus restrictions in order to not risk the easing of the lockdown.
England’s deputy chief medical officer told the Downing Street press conference: “I do worry that people think it’s all over.
“The more they think that when it’s not, the greater the headwind they’re going to give to the vaccine programme and the more at risk will become the milestones set on the road map.
“It is actually up to us whether we can hold our nerve and see this through properly to the end of the road map or whether we’re going to fall at the last furlong.”
