UK Covid passport proposals gather momentum as country scrambles to get back to normal
Murtaza Jaffer
Press TV, London
As the UK races ahead with its vaccine roll out, discussions have turned to normalizing large public gatherings such as sports events, cinemas and theatre shows.
Britain's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has revealed that the government are now considering COVID passports to allow people to attend large-scale public events from June 21.
Campaigners have been quick to push back against such proposals, adamant such a move would restrict people’s right to refuse any form of vaccination.
More than 300,000 people have signed a petition against covid passports, citing MP Nadhim Zahawi, the secretary in charge of the vaccine roll out - who said "there were no plans for vaccine passports" back in December 2020. Last week’s unease over potential blood clots being linked to the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine added more anxiety.
In Brussels, the EU have announced similar proposals to facilitate freedom of movement within the bloc. Their digital green certificate would allow their 450 million residents to travel freely between nation states - one of the essential four freedoms which comprises the European Union. This has become critical as a third wave of infections continues to spread.
Digital green certificates will apply to tourists also. British holiday makers who have been quick to book their European getaways are finding themselves having to get vaccines and covid passports before traveling. Turkey however have come out and declared they will not be imposing such criteria, a marketing ploy designed to attract vaccine weary holiday makers.
Concerns over vaccines and human rights will remain ongoing, with anti vax campaigners continuing their sgtruggle, but those in the entertainment industry as well as countries reliant on tourism will be desperate to get their economies back up and running. In this context many feel vaccine passports will ultimately become part of the new normal.
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