Covid passes for clubs in England to be scrapped from next week

Industry bodies including the NTIA have welcomed the decision, which comes into effect on 27 January.

Boris Johnson has today (19 January) announced the easing of Plan B Covid-19 restrictions in England. First brought into effect on 15 December in the wake of rising infections and the Omicron variant, Plan B measures included the compulsory wearing of face coverings, work from home guidance and Covid passes or negative tests for entry into clubs and other large venues.

The rules surrounding face coverings will change from tomorrow (20 January) for secondary school pupils, with all other measures due to be lifted from next week. Speaking to the the House of Commons today, Johnson told MPs: “our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally”.

From 27 January, mandatory Covid passes for clubs and large-scale events will no longer be required. However, the Prime Minister said that organisations can continue to use the NHS Covid Pass system if they wish. 

The easing of Plan B measures has been welcomed by industry bodies including the NTIA (Night Time Industries Association). In a statement issued today, CEO Michael Kill said: “Following an extremely difficult two years for the night time economy and hospitality sector, which has been, in every sense, at the sharpest end of the pandemic throughout, we are finally able to plan for the future with some level of certainty and without debilitating restrictions.”

Continuing, he added: “With the devastating losses over the festive period, and the effects of limited cash flow being felt across the sector, our industry has been placed in an extremely fragile state, and without question will need further financial relief and support to survive.”

Kill goes onto state that “more support will be needed” in the future as the hospitality and night-time economy sectors continue to recover from pandemic-induced losses. “It is important that the government don’t simply assume the sector will be fine because restrictions have been eased,” said Kill.

Read: Vaccine passports for clubs: “The government is looking for an easy scapegoat with the nightlife industry”