Covid passes could be extended across hospitality in Wales

Covid passports could be introduced across the wider hospitality industry in Wales if coronavirus cases continue to rise, first minister Mark Drakeford has warned.

Tougher measures are being brought in to tackle rising case numbers in Wales, which are the highest in the UK.

Covid passports are being extended to cinemas, theatres and concert halls from 15 November in response to rising cases.

Speaking at a press conference, Drakeford said the passes were a “sensible precaution”, adding: “If cases of coronavirus continue to rise rather than fall we will have to consider expanding use of the Covid pass further, including into the hospitality sector.”

Earlier today, he told BBC Breakfast: "The hospitality industry needs to use the next three weeks to prepare for the possibility that Covid passes might need to be introduced in that setting."

The passes, which can be obtained online, have been required for entry into nightclubs and large-scale events in Wales since 11 October.

The document shows if someone has been fully vaccinated or had a negative lateral flow test in the past 48 hours.

Drakeford is also urging employers to help more people work from home over the next three weeks, before the Welsh government’s next review of restrictions.

However, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls warned that further measures could be “catastrophic” for hospitality without financial support for the industry. She tweeted: “[With] no furlough, grant or other support a combination of working from home and wider use of vaccine passports would see many businesses struggling to survive.”

Vaccine passports became a legal requirement in Scotland last week, but a hospitality group warned the scheme had seen staff face abuse from customers and hundreds of customers denied entry.

A survey of members of the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) in Scotland found that nightclub trade levels had dropped by almost half (46%), representing lost income of around £506,000 per year per venue, with some reporting declines in excess of 60% compared to previous weeks.

In addition, venues enforcing the scheme reported their expenses to administer the scheme such as staffing and equipment would result in £31,200 per year of additional costs if it continued.

Trade in pubs and bars had dropped by one quarter (24%), despite 90% of these venues implementing measures to take themselves out of remit of the scheme such as decommissioning dance floors, reducing opening hours or cancelling live entertainment, all at significant financial loss.

Vaccine certification in England is part of the government's possible ‘Plan B' measures for managing coronavirus this winter, and could be introduced with just one week's notice.

Image: giggsy25 / Shutterstock