Pubs could ban punters who do not provide evidence of their coronavirus vaccine, Boris Johnson has suggested.
The Prime Minister was asked about the possibility of so-called ‘vaccine passports’ being introduced in the UK at a House of Commons Liaison Committee hearing yesterday.
When Johnson was asked if they would be required to enter a pub, he insisted that it would be up to establishment itself to decide.
“I think that’s the kind of thing that may be up to individual publicans. It may be up to the landlord”, he said.
The long-awaited reopening of the hospitality sector in Scotland is due to begin from next month.
Scots will be able to have an alcoholic drink in a beer garden until 10pm or sit indoors without alcohol until 8pm from April 26.
A further reopening of pubs, restaurants and cafes is expected to take place from May 17.
The Scottish Government is hoping to allow pubs to serve alcohol indoors until 10.30pm from this date under its timetable out of lockdown.
It is unclear if any policy on vaccine passports for pubs will be enforced in Scotland in the future.
Presently, Scots who receive their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be provided with an information leaflet telling them when their appointment for the second jab is.
The British Pub Confederation blasted Boris Johnson over his vaccine passport suggestion.
Greg Mulholland of the organisation said: “We were very happy pubs were doing their bit to help with test and trace.
“But for the government to abdicate responsibility and ask pubs to make a moral judgement - it’s just not acceptable.”
The idea of vaccine passports has been a controversial one - with many suggesting that they will restrict liberties, while others say that they could significantly reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
Earlier this month, Scottish Government health advisor Professor Devi Sridhar said that they could allow the return of international travel.
She said: “I think if these vaccines stop transmission, which they look like they might, we will reach a stage of vaccine passports.
"It's already being discussed in the EU. We already have countries like Israel introducing green cards domestically, if you actually have gotten vaccinated.
"I think similar to yellow fever, where the WHO has certification if you've been vaccinated, we will reach a state where aviation will continue.
"Spain and Greece are really keen on this for their tourism industries.
"You will be allowed to fly and we can have international mobility, but only when people are vaccinated and we have that confirmation that you will not infect others when you travel."
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