The illustration depicts a woman with an iPhone that she purchased from the NHS Covid Pass at Cardiff last week.
Wales’ MPs voted for controversial Covid passports that would be extended to theatres, cinemas, and concert halls.
To enter nightclubs or similar locations, individuals have to demonstrate that they are either fully vaccinated against the virus or have passed a negative test.
However, entry into cinemas, theatres, and concert halls will be restricted starting November 15 unless Covid status certification has been obtained by individuals after the Welsh Parliament granted the extension of mixed reaction.
The new law brought by the Labour government passed with 39 Members of the Senedd voting for and 15 against, with the Welsh Conservatives and Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds opposed.
Officials claimed that Covid was popular. Eluned Morgan, Health Minister was clear to say the extension was intended to preserve theatres and cinemas during winter months.
However, the vote came in stark contrast to October, when Welsh ministers won the first Covid passport decision by just a single vote after one Tory MS was unable to log on to Zoom to vote remotely.
The opposition had united to oppose the controversial scheme and the Welsh government, which held exactly half the seats in the Senedd, was defeated.
Big Brother Watch, an organization that advocates civil liberties, announced last night it would launch legal proceedings against Welsh authorities. They called the plans “authoritarian and invasive”
This comes at a time when official statistics show that Covid rate across the UK has continued to plummet with deaths, hospitalizations and cases all continuing to decline week-on-week.
For entry to theatres, residents of Wales will be required to produce a Covid Pass (stock photo).
To be allowed to perform in concert venues, they must also show proof of their vaccinations or prove they are negative for Covid (stock image).
Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, at the Welsh Parliament on October 14, 2021
Concerned about the potential impact of the passports upon civil liberties, demonstrators gathered yesterday at Cardiff Bay’s Welsh parliament. This extension is dividing opinion in the hospitality industry, that has been severely affected by Covid restrictions.
Cardiff Bay’s Wales Millennium Centre welcomed all moves to protect its audience and ensure that they remain open.
Steve Reynolds, the director of Picturedrome Cinemas in Blackwood said that he believes cinemas and cinemas are being “singled out” and was concerned about trade.
NTIA Nightlife Industry Group stated that cinemas and theatres are facing’significant challenges.
Michael Kill, its chief executive, said: “There is a great concern across the hospitality and nighttime economy sectors that Welsh Government will take this further to cover more businesses which will without doubt cripple the industries affected.
Silkie Carlo, Director of Big Brother Watch, stated in a statement that “Covid Passes are Internal Health Passports That Are Authoritarian, Invasive, and Unevidenced.”
Although a ‘Covid ID doesn’t indicate that someone has Covid or cannot spread Covid it does make society more free and accessible.
“In the absence of evidence, this mandatory medical ID program has been expanded significantly in just weeks. This safety play is dangerous and harmful to public health. It unfairly burdens companies, excludes citizens, and causes no harm.
“There are more effective, proportionate and inclusive ways to protect people and bring the country back into normal than exclusion of healthy individuals without proper health documents from society. We will not be able return to anything normal without health ID checks. They will continue to grow.
“We demand that the Welsh government scrap discriminatory and divisive Covid passes. We’ll sue the government if they do not.
Public Health Wales has the 7-day average Covid case rate of 527.7/100,000.
Darren Millar (Conservative constitutional spokesperson) stated that Covid Passes raise’many issues of ethical and equality’. This is in addition to concerns that lateral flow results are self-declared.
He added that you can even swab your dog, put it in the system, and still receive your vaccine passport. This will allow you to go to any other event, nightclub, or theatre, and is absurd.
Yesterday was the 8th consecutive day of decline in daily coronavirus infection in the UK. Deaths and hospital admissions were also down yesterday.
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Ms Dodds stated that her opposition is centered on ‘the absence of evidence.
The Senedd was informed by her that she hadn’t received evidence to show the passes had ‘worked to reduce transmission or improve uptake’.
Ms Morgan stated that she was pleased with the decision to extend the deadline. Covid is not going away, and the cases are still high. We need to continue taking steps to protect Wales.
“The NHS Covid Pass is just one of many measures that can be taken to protect businesses and control spread of the virus.
“Introducing them was not an easy decision. The venues where they will be used are indoors, which allows for large groups of people to stay together for long periods.
“Since October 11, people are required to present a NHS Covid pass, or any recent negative lateral flow result, to be allowed into nightclubs and similar events. The service works well.
«We’ve received positive feedback form a variety of businesses as well as organisers major events such the rugby internationals.
“We will continue working with the sector who implement the scheme to provide the best support for them.”