People attending gigs, nightclubs, or football matches in Wales will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to be allowed entry, the first minister has confirmed.
Mark Drakeford announced the news today (September 17), saying that anyone over the age of 18 will need to have been double-jabbed, or show proof of a negative lateral flow test in the last 48 hours, to be allowed in to mass events. Those include:
- Nightclubs
- Indoor, non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions
- Outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people
- Any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance
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The NHS Covid Pass can be obtained by downloading the NHS app - not the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app, which is separate. You can also get proof of vaccination via a letter, if you are unable to use the app. Individuals are classed as fully vaccinated 14 days after their second Covid-19 vaccine dose (or 14 days after their first, if they received the one-shot Janssen vaccine).
The new rule will come into force on October 11.
Drakeford said: "Across Wales, coronavirus cases have risen to very high levels over the summer as more people have been gathering and meeting. Tragically, more people are dying from this terrible virus.
“The very strong advice we have from our scientific advisers is to take early action to prevent infections increasing further. The last thing we want is further lockdowns and for businesses to have to close their doors once again. That’s why we must take small but meaningful action now to control the spread of the virus and reduce the need for tougher measures later.”
The system adopted by the Welsh government differs from the Scottish rules, which accept vaccination only - negative tests do not grant you entry north of the border. In England, the UK government has decided against using Covid passports for domestic events for the time being but has said it will not rule out bringing them in further down the line.
The Welsh government says it will enhance the awareness and enforcement of other key Covid-19 protection measures, such as face coverings on public transport.
Drakeford added: "We have high levels of the virus in our communities and while our fantastic vaccination programme has helped stop thousands more people from becoming seriously ill or dying, the pressure on the NHS is increasing.
“We hope introducing the requirement to show a Covid pass will help keep venues and events – many of which have only recently started trading again – open.
“Showing a Covid Pass is already part of our collective effort to keep businesses open with some major events, such as the successful Green Man Festival, using it. We will continue to work closely with all businesses affected to ensure a smooth introduction and operation of this system."
“We want to do everything we can to keep Wales safe as we head into the autumn."
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