Covid vaccine certificates to be compulsory for nightclubs and other large crowd events

Covid certificates will be made compulsory for crowded venues such as nightclubs in a bid to boost vaccine uptake among young people, the vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has announced.

While party-goers can enjoy nightclubs and music venues without face masks, social distancing or any proof of a Covid vaccine, the new rule enforcing ‘Covid certificates’ will come into place at the end of September.

The government had previously opposed the compulsory use of coronavirus certificates – which involve customers using the NHS app to show their vaccination status, or prove they have had a negative test result.

But now, the government has urged venues such as clubs and sports stadiums to introduce them as a matter of ‘social responsibility.’

Antoine Julien / Unsplash

Ministers hope the move will help to encourage younger people to have the jab over the summer.

Last night, Manchester’s nightclubs ended their sixteen month drought as they welcomed in maskless guests to take to their dance floors once again. Lengthy queues were seen outside of various venues across the city as eager party-goers waited for their first ‘proper’ night out in over a year.

However, despite the glee of party-goers,  Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of being ‘reckless’ by lifting almost all remaining restrictions in one go, with global health experts warning that the decision is a danger to the rest of the world.