Venues can demand proof of vaccine despite government ruling out scheme, minister says

Nadhim Zahawi says it is ‘up to businesses’ what rules to introduce - as cinemas begin technology trials

Cinemas and other venues will be free to demand proof of vaccination for Covid-19 before allowing people to enter, a government minister says.

Nadhim Zahawi said it is “up to businesses” what rules to introduce – despite the government ruling out a “vaccine passport” scheme of its own.

The comment came as some cinemas reportedly begin striking private deals to use vaccine certificates to allow them to open their doors when the lockdown eases.

The idea has also been put forward as a precondition for working in care homes – triggering criticism that the government is ducking the potential controversy.

Mr Zahawi, the vaccines minister, echoed Boris Johnson in arguing that rapid flow tests will be a much better method of ensuring people are able to enter venues in future.

But, asked if owners could demand a vaccine certificate “if you wanted to go to the cinema”, he replied: “Well, I just think it is obviously up to businesses what they do.”

An IT firm called Verifiable Credentials says it has already agreed a tie-up with one UK theatre and cinema complex for a trial of technology to provide proof of vaccine.

Electronic certificates would be verified by the NHS and stored in a digital wallet on a smartphone – then combined with a purchased ticket to generate a QR code that would allow entry.

“Checking people’s vaccination certificates might help cinemas to reopen in the future,” the company told The Daily Telegraph.

Downing Street has repeatedly refused to say if it will take any action to prevent such an approach – despite ministers describing vaccine certificates as “discriminatory”.

There are growing concerns that much lower vaccination rates among people from an ethnic minority background could see them barred from social life, in future.

And, although all over-50s in the UK will have received a first jab by the end of April, at the latest, younger adults will have to wait until the summer or autumn.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Zahawi added: “At the moment, we don’t yet have the evidence of the effect of the vaccines on transmission.

“It’s much better, as the prime minister quite rightly focused on, that you look at the rapid testing. That’s the way forward, combined with a national vaccination programme.”

Later, on BBC Radio 4, the vaccines minister also declined to say whether employers will be able to legally require staff to disclose whether they have received a vaccine.

“The vaccination is not mandatory. Employers have been talking to us, they are concerned about their duty of care for the residents, the elderly residents, especially if the virus mutates,” he said.

Pressed again if firms could require staff to disclose their vaccination records, Mr Zahawi replied: “At the moment, the vaccination programme is non-mandatory.”