Government considering ‘Covid status certificates’ under plans to reopen England, PM says

Scheme could be used to help certain venues open safely in the month ahead, but government will be ‘mindful’ of concerns surrounding privacy and exclusion, says Boris Johnson

The government is considering the introduction of “Covid status certificates” as part of plans for the phased reopening of society, the prime minister has announced.

Boris Johnson said there will be a review into the policy, which was been previously dismissed by a number of senior ministers.

The PM said a certification scheme could be adopted to help certain venues open safely in the months ahead, but added that the government would be “mindful” of concerns surrounding privacy, exclusion and discrimination, with some groups unable to receive a coronavirus jab for medical reasons.

Mr Johnson told the House of Commons on Monday that a study into the use of vaccine and testing certificates will be one of four reviews conducted as part of easing the current restrictions.

The four reviews, which will include looking at the current social distancing measures and how to increase international travel, are investigating matters upon which ministers do not currently feel they have enough data or information.

Previously, the vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, labelled the certificates as “discriminatory”, insisting that the government has “no plans” to introduce the policy in Britain. “That’s not how we do things in the UK,” he said earlier this month.

The findings of the vaccine passport probe are hoped to be available before stage four of the lockdown easing on 21 June is reached.

Under current plans, this will be the fourth and final phase of England’s roadmap out of lockdown, and will see all limits on socialising lifted. The government hopes that businesses that were unable to reopen in summer 2020, such as nightclubs, will also be able to reopen their doors.

Officials have admitted that the review, especially into allowing those who have been vaccinated to have increased rights, poses both moral and ethical questions, as well as practical difficulties.

As well as looking at whether vaccines could enable people to return to a sense of normality, the review will also look at the viability of allowing people to show evidence of a negative test to gain access to a venue.

In a meeting held on 4 February, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said that the introduction of immunity certificates may be “desirable” and could be used alongside other measures to help control transmission.

However, Sage warned that “it is an imperfect tool and a risk-based approach should be adopted”.

It added: “There are practical challenges associated with certification, such as setting an appropriate duration of validity for certificates, ensuring clear communication of risk, and preventing fraud.

“Immunity certification should not permit the relaxation or avoidance of self-isolation if symptoms develop. Certificates should also not be used to replace other measures to protect high-risk individuals.”

The group also called on Public Health England to consider running a clinical trial on immunity certification in controlled environments.

Former prime minister Tony Blair has, through his institute, regularly called for vaccine passports to be used to reopen society.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has previously said people will be able to request their vaccination record from their GP to allow them to travel to countries that required proof of inoculation status, but that the UK had “no plans” to roll them out domestically.

Mr Johnson announced on the weekend that he had accelerated the government’s vaccination target, aiming now to offer every adult a first dose jab by the end of July rather than the autumn.