It seems like the British government is attempting to sidestep Parliament to implement coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine passports even though the measure was already dismissed the first time it was suggested.
Vaccine passports allegedly scrapped earlier in September
In an interview about vaccine passports, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid said that some policies shouldn't be enforced just because other countries and governments are approving them.
Some believed that the plan, which was criticized by the public and some Members of Parliament would be introduced by the end of September. Earlier that month vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi defended the measure, claiming that it was the "best way" to keep the night industry open.
If the plan had been approved, citizens in the U.K. would have needed to show proof of double vaccination, a negative coronavirus test, or finishing self-isolating after a positive PCR test before they could enter clubs and other crowded events.
The suggestion for vaccine passports came from the Liberal Democrats party. Even leader Ed Davey said vaccine passports were "divisive, unworkable and expensive."
Javid added that he himself was against the notion of asking people to show their papers before they could be allowed to "do what is just an everyday activity." After careful consideration, he said that, for now, the idea of vaccine passports is rejected. However, it's being kept as a backup option.
Javid also denied that the U.K. government was backtracking on the policy after criticism from its own backbenchers. He added that the passports were unnecessary since other things in the "wall of [defense]," like more people getting vaccinated, testing, surveillance and new treatments.
Vaccine passports are still a part of the U.K. government's "Plan B"
It seems like the vaccine passport was already rejected, but only one day after Javid said that the policy was scrapped, the government then announced that vaccine passports would be an essential part of its winter response to the coronavirus if there is an increase in cases and hospitalizations.
Under "Plan B", vaccine passports will allegedly form a "first-line [defense]” against a winter wave of infections even though they proved ineffective in Israel. The government also claimed that the proposal will allow more businesses and venues to open aside from "nightclubs, music venues, outdoor festivals, concerts and sports events."
Should the policy be introduced, the government will require vaccine passports for these venues and events:
- All nightclubs and other venues open after 1 a.m. offering music, dancing and alcohol.
- All indoor events with 500 or more attendees where people could stand and mingle to a significant degree, or move around during the event, such as in music venues or large receptions.
- In outdoor, crowded settings with 4,000 or more attendees stand or mingle during the event, such as outdoor festivals.
- Any settings with 10,000 or more attendees, like large sports and music stadiums.
And since the U.K. government is aware that it may have trouble getting a vaccine passport system approved through a Parliamentary vote, it is now launching a "public consultation" to garner more support for the unnecessary and oppressive policy. Since the government is refusing to commit to a vote, the majority of respondents view the move as part of an effort to circumvent Parliament. (Related: After calling vaccine passports a “conspiracy theory,” U.K. government now says everyone will need to show proof of vaccination to live.)
The U.K. government has continued to lie to the public about its intentions regarding vaccine passports. First, Javid announced that the proposal was scrapped, then a day later the government was announced that its vaccine passports were incorporated into "Plan B." Who knows when the government will push through with the oppressive policy?
Go to Pandemic.news to learn how governments across the globe are handling the coronavirus pandemic.
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