Fury over vaccine passports as MPs call for them to be ruled out for funerals amid rumours they will not be needed to enter pubs
- MPs said mourners should not be required to prove their Covid vaccine status
- Sir John Hayes suggested that weddings and baptisms should also be exempt
- While Gillian Keegan said vaccine passports were unlikely to be used in pubs
MPs last night called for vaccine passports to be ruled out for funerals as a minister hinted they will not be imposed on pubs.
In a letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, the all-party group on funerals and bereavement said mourners should not be required to prove their vaccine status.
Chairman Sir John Hayes urged Mr Javid to recognise the ‘unique and vital nature’ of funerals.
He suggested that weddings and baptisms should also be exempt.
In a letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured), the all-party group on funerals and bereavement said mourners should not be required to prove their vaccine status
Meanwhile, Education Minister Gillian Keegan said vaccine passports were unlikely to be introduced in pubs.
She said the scheme was being examined for nightclubs and some other crowded events, but was ‘not under consideration at the moment’ for pubs.
Downing Street has said it will bring forward legislation next month to mandate vaccine passports in nightclubs and certain other venues.
The move could include music festivals, sports events and business conferences.
The idea of imposing vaccine passports on pubs is bitterly opposed by many in the hospitality industry.
Pub bosses say the measure is not wanted by drinkers, and warn it would be impractical to staff the doors of venues throughout the day.
Chairman Sir John Hayes urged Mr Javid to recognise the ‘unique and vital nature’ of funerals and suggested that weddings and baptisms should also be exempt (stock image)
The prospect of ‘papers for the pub’ is also at the heart of Tory opposition to vaccine passports.
Around 50 Tory MPs are said to be ready to rebel on legislation to mandate the measure.
Several cabinet ministers, including Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, also have serious reservations about the idea, and are pushing for any measures to be limited and temporary.
Sir Keir Starmer has described the idea of vaccine passports as ‘un-British’, but has yet to say whether Labour will oppose the plan in parliament next month.
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