Nadhim Zahawi, the minister in charge of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, hinted that many venues would only accept customers who have a certificate of vaccination. The suggestion brings into question whether immunity passes will be issued to those who decide to take the jab.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Zahawi said different options were being considered.
He said: “We are looking at the technology.
“And, of course, a way of people being able to inform their GP that they have been vaccinated.
“But, also, I think you’ll probably find that restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues, sports venues, will probably also use that system – as they have done with the app.
“I think that in many ways the pressure will come from both ways, from service providers who’ll say ‘look, demonstrate to us that you have been vaccinated’.
“But, also, we will make the technology as easy and accessible as possible.”
The so-called “immunity passports” have been touted as a potential way of returning to normality with millions of UK citizens enjoying more freedoms.
Baroness Dido Harding, head of the NHS Test and Trace programme, said her department is considering including vaccination status in the app.
The minister told BBC Radio 4’s World at One that he supported the decision to make vaccination voluntary in the UK.
He said: “I think it is right that it is voluntary. People have to be allowed to decide for themselves whether they want to be vaccinated or otherwise.
“But, I think the very strong message that you will see, this is the way we return the whole country, and so it’s good for your family, it’s good for your community, it’s good for your country to be vaccinated.
“And, ultimately people will have to make a decision.”
