The UK government has abandoned a plan to mandate the use of vaccine passports in England for crowded events such as nightclubs, the health minister said Sunday.
The government had earlier announced that these would be introduced at the end of this month, despite opposition from businesses in the sector and from some Conservative MPs.
Health minister Sajid Javid announced the U-turn, saying the government does not view the move as necessary in the current virus situation, citing high vaccine uptake.
“We’ve looked at it properly and whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports,” Javid told the BBC.
The health minister said that the idea of compulsory showing of documentation at leisure venues made him uncomfortable, as some opponents have called this a potential violation of civil liberties.
“I’ve never liked the idea of saying to people you must show your papers or something to do what is just an everyday activity,” Javid said.
