Lockdown restrictions across England eased today after rising cases saw ‘Freedom Day’ pushed back.
Boris Johnson hosted a press conference last week and said that the Government's four tests had been met and the data showed that England would be able to go ahead and lift restrictions.
This means all remaining limits on social contact have now been removed and there will be no more restrictions on how many people can meet in any setting, indoors or outdoors.
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All settings including nightclubs are also allowed to open and large events, such as music concerts and sporting events can resume without any limits on attendance or social distancing requirements.
However, now the big day has arrived, there are still a couple of questions the public has been left confused about.
The big one for many people is ‘will I need a Covid certificate?’
Since nightclubs, which have been closed since the first lockdown in March last year, will be allowed to open their doors some people will be concerned about needing a ‘Covid certificate’ to enter.
When Mr Johnson addressed the nation he said: "As a matter of social responsibility we're urging nightclubs and other venues with large crowds to make use of the NHS Covid Pass which shows proof of vaccination, recent negative test or natural immunity, as a means of entry."
According to the official guidance put out by the Government this week, the NHS COVID Pass is being introduced to allow people “to demonstrate that they’re at a lower risk of carrying COVID-19 and transmitting it to others, through vaccination, testing or natural immunity.”
The Government says it is working with organisations that operate large, crowded settings such as nightclubs, where people are likely to be in close proximity to a large number of those from other households to use the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry.
How to get an NHS Covid Pass
An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus vaccination details or test results.
You may be asked to show your pass to get into some events, where the COVID Pass is being trialled, or to travel abroad.
To get a pass you must meet a number of requirements, such as having two doses of the vaccine or receiving a negative PCR result. You can see the full requirements here.
The pass comes in a digital and paper version, which you can request online.
The digital version can be downloaded as a PDF on your phone via the NHS App or the NHS COVID Pass service. The pass is valid for different lengths of time depending on your Covid status.
The paper version can be requested online or by calling 119 and will be sent to you in the post.
You can find the full details here.
Do you need a pass to get into clubs, bars and restaurants?
COVID-status certification is not required in law as a condition of entry for visitors to any setting.
Businesses can opt to use the NHS COVID Pass, which is available through the NHS App, the NHS website, or as a letter that can be requested by ringing NHS 119, but must “ ensure that you comply with all relevant legal obligations and guidance, including on equalities”.
The guidance also says that businesses and other organisations should not require certification from those under 18-years-old or from anyone who declares they’re medically unable to be certified, meaning they cannot vaccinate or test.
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