Minister hints at domestic vaccine passport climbdown

Ministers today sparked speculation of a potential climbdown on domestic vaccine passports as they insisted the Government is ‘concentrating on ticketed, big events’.   Paul Scully, the Small Business Minister, said the work on so-called ‘Covid Status Certification’ is focused on major events which are ‘tougher to get back to a semblance of normal rather than … Read more

Britons advised to allow 10 WEEKS for passport applications

Scramble for passports: Government warns holidaymakers it will take 10 WEEKS for applications thanks to 2020 backlog and PM’s promise of cheap testing scheme to kickstart foreign flights Passport Office has said Brits should now allow up to 10 weeks for applications It said there had been a ‘significant drop’ in applications during the pandemic … Read more

Cruises will be back on from next MONTH as Royal Caribbean launches vaccine passport scheme

Cruises will be back on from next month as Royal Caribbean launches its own vaccine passport scheme – but they’ll be swapping the Bahamas for Belfast with UK destinations only.  The company, which usually sails to the far-flung tropics, will instead travel to locations including Liverpool, Belfast and the Orkney Islands, with everyone on board … Read more

Reading and Leeds fans will ‘almost certainly’ need a vaccine passport, says organiser

Music fans attending this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival will ‘almost certainly’ need a form of vaccine passport or show proof they do not have coronavirus, the organiser admitted today. Festival Republic director Melvin Benn said there will be a dedicated Covid-19 medical director and team for the two-site event featuring Stormzy, Liam Gallagher and … Read more

Is vaccines passport for pubs and restaurants unworkable and un-British or ticket out of Covid hell?

FOR: By Adrian Vinken, CEO, Theatre Royal, Plymouth  For all of us who work in theatre, as in so many industries that rely on bringing people together, the past year has been nothing short of a nightmare. Hopes of reopening have been dashed again and again. Three months after London’s West End went dark last … Read more

David Davis says vaccine passport plan could be ILLEGAL

Ex-Cabinet minister David Davis says the Government’s vaccine passport plan could be ILLEGAL and warns pubs, theatres and football stadiums will ‘run straight into a court case’ if they rollout their own ‘no jab, no entry’ requirements Government is currently looking at how ‘Covid status certification’ could work Certificates could include testing or vaccination data … Read more

‘Freedom passport’ app could allow venues to reopen with minimal social distancing 

‘Freedom passport’ app could allow pubs, restaurants and sports venues to reopen with minimal social distancing Users will instantly be able to show evidence of their latest negative Covid test A government review is due to conclude before all restrictions lifted on June 21 Experts describe the technology as ‘a massive game-changer for this summer’  … Read more

Heathrow passport control staff will strike over Easter in protest at ‘unworkable’ new rotas

Heathrow passport control staff will strike over Easter in protest at ‘unworkable’ new rotas they blame for seven-hour queues in arrivals hall Border Force staff reportedly angry over the ban on shift swapping at Heathrow Public and Commercial Services Union says the strike action will begin on April 1 This coincides with Unite’s strike action … Read more

EU APPROVES passport plan allowing free movement for those who are vaccinated or have antibodies

The EU has presented plans to issue ‘digital green certificates’ allowing its 450million people to travel freely across the bloc this summer.  The scheme, which will be discussed next week during a summit of EU leaders, will facilitate travel across Europe for people who have been vaccinated as well as others who have recently been … Read more

UK government is still using a ‘racially biased’ passport checker

The UK government is using a ‘racially biased’ online passport photo checker – despite an updated version being available for more than a year. HM Passport Office has confirmed an improved version of the facial detection system, developed by its software vendor, has still not rolled out.  The facial detection system is part of the … Read more