Labour ministers have been asked to rule out extending Covid passes to pubs, cafes and restaurants amid fears about their impact from industry leaders.
The Welsh Conservatives made the plea as vaccine passes came into force for theatres, cinemas and concert halls.
People already had to show a Covid Pass - showing they’re fully vaccinated, had a negative lateral flow test within 48 hours or recently had the virus - to enter nightclubs and attend large events in Wales.
First Minister Mark Drakeford warned three weeks ago that the Covid Pass could be extended to all hospitality if cases continued to rise.
Since then the seven day infection rate has fallen from over 700 to under 500.
The Chief Executive of the Welsh Beer and Pub Association has warned any extension to the passes would put pubs and brewers in “jeopardy” and “must be avoided.”
A recent survey by the Night Time Industries Association’s members in Scotland found trade levels in nightclubs dropped by 46% and 24% in pubs.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for the Economy, Paul Davies MS, said: “Our pubs, restaurants and cafes have been hit hard by the pandemic and the last thing they need now is the threat of dealing with Covid passes.
“Not only is there no evidence that these passes stop the spread of the virus, but they will seriously hamper our economic recovery at a time when we should be doing all we can to help it.
“Extending these passes to pubs, cafes and restaurants – especially as cases of the virus are falling – would be disastrous for our economy, jobs and Wales as a whole.”
“Labour ministers need to listen to the industry experts and rule out expanding the pass scheme so business owners can stop worrying and focus their energy on bouncing back from the pandemic.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Covid Pass has been introduced as one measure – among many – to help keep businesses open while also helping to control the spread of the virus.
“At the last review of the coronavirus regulations, the First Minister said the Cabinet would consider extending the use of the Covid pass to hospitality if the public health situation does not improve. No decisions have been made – the next review will be carried later this week.”
