Welsh Covid pass needed for nightclubs and large events from Monday

11 October 2021, 00:01

Covid passes will be needed for nightclubs and events in Wales from Monday
Covid passes will be needed for nightclubs and events in Wales from Monday. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

People must show an NHS Covid Pass or demonstrate their vaccination status to enter nightclubs and attend large events in Wales from Monday.

It means all over-18s need one to enter nightclubs, indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions, outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people and any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance.

People will also be able to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.

Read more: Supply chain crisis: Thousands more HGV drivers to be trained - but not before Christmas

Read more: Boris Johnson goes on holiday to Marbella - but is the timing right?

"The Covid Pass is just one of a series of measures in place to help prevent people spreading and catching coronavirus while helping to keep the economy open," said economy minister Vaughan Gething.

"None of us want to see further lockdowns and for businesses to have to close their doors once again.

"Showing a Covid Pass is already part of our collective effort to keep businesses open, with some major events, such as the successful Green Man Festival, using it.

"Together, if we all continue to follow the clear guidelines we're all used to by now, we'll be doing everything we can to keep Wales safe."

Wales Sec. announces Senedd legislates for Covid passes

The legislation was passed in the Senedd last week despite opposition from the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats.

Only people attending the events or venues that meet the criteria will need to show their Covid status, with staff working or volunteering at them encouraged to take lateral flow tests twice a week to check they do not have the virus.

The Welsh Government will use the current enforcement regimes for monitoring compliance.

A premises could be issued with an improvement notice or closure notice, while a fixed penalty notice and a maximum fine for businesses of £10,000 can be issued.

Read more: La Palma volcano partially collapses, spewing 'explosive bombs' of molten rock

Read more: Union urges PM to 'get a grip' to save jobs amid ongoing energy crisis

Conservative health spokesman Russell George accused the Welsh Government of a U-turn, having previously ruled out introducing Covid passes.

"I just do not think that we should become a checkpoint society by introducing a vaccine passport," Mr George said in the Senedd last week.

Plaid health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said his party was not against the principle of Covid passes but took issue with the proposals in their current form, including the use of lateral flow tests.

"We've asked many questions and haven't been given assurances that we have sought, and it is for that reason that we feel unable to support these regulations," he said.

FM of Wales: 'I don't think a vaccine passport can do any harm.'

Wales is facing some of the highest infection rates since the beginning of the pandemic, particularly among young people.

Plans for similar vaccine passport plans in England were scrapped, although they could be reintroduced if the government decides to implement 'Plan B' of its winter plan.

Read more: More than 1,100 migrants cross Channel to UK in two days

Read more: Tory MP doubles down on claim white privilege is 'an extremist ideology'

Under 'Plan A' the vaccine programme and the newly announced booster rollout will be the government's main tool to combat the virus this winter.

However, if cases rise substantially and the NHS begins to become overwhelmed, vaccine passports could be introduced as well as renewed working from home advice and instructions to wear face masks in certain settings.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's "remarkable" foreign policy achievements

Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's 'near-death' experience

Live
US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls as election day arrives

US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls in the final race for the White House

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team