Vaccine passports will be in operation in England from as early as June under plans to be announced by the Prime Minister today.
Boris Johnson is holding a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, flanked by England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
He is expected to detail further plans for easing the lockdown in England, as well as announcements on international travel, vaccine passports and free Covid testing.
According to The Sun, passports will be needed enter big venues like football grounds and nightclubs from as early as June 21.
Pubs could then be told to ask for proof of a jab or negative test in future if they want to drop all social distancing requirements.
With the vaccine roll-out a success, politicians are hopeful for the total reopening of the country by the end of June.
A key part of those plans is the vaccine passport scheme, which would allow Brits who have had the shot, or who can prove antibodies or a negative test, to attend certain events.
However, there is enough disgruntlement to suggest a vote on the Covid passports in the House of Commons on their use could result in a Government defeat.
Senior Labour shadow cabinet member Rachel Reeves said her party had “many reservations” about their domestic deployment, while more than 40 Tory MPs have signed a cross-party letter opposing vaccine passports, meaning it could be a tight result.
