Covid passports may be the only way of averting the "dramatic financial effect" of fans not returning to stadiums for the start of next season, according to the Football League.
There has been opposition to the method in which the government is planning to open up large-scale events, which have effectively been closed to the public for more than a year.
For football, that is likely to require either proof of a negative test, or a vaccination or the presence of antibodies to gain access to stadiums, with further testing being likely after the event.
The plan has been described as "divisive and discriminatory" by opponents.
Comments
For instance, a certificate which proved you had no police cautions or arrests within the past ten years.
This would probably enable clubs to permit drinking, grass banks or terracing, end of crowd segregation and create a much friendlier atmosphere for everyone. Might be useful to a lot of businesses which wanted a better class of customer- or could be made compulsory for pubs?
Then there's the credit "certificate" which proves that you don't owe anybody any money. (Oops I think we already have that
The whole world is already full of stuff like this: drivers' licences; Tesco's policy of not selling alcohol or knives to anyone that looks under 25 unless they can prove they are over 18; Passports; existing vaccination certificates for various diseases when travelling abroad; lawyers' practising certificates; pilots' licences; criminal background checks; etc, etc.
Probably a good example in this context is that if you want to be a professional boxer you have to have evidence of commencement of Hepatitis B vaccinations.
None of these things are a pointless, bureaucratic waste of time. They are all there to make us safer and/or more competent.
What can possibly be wrong with having to prove to a pub landlord that you are not a risk to his other customers?
If I have to arrive early to be tested, so I can shout like a nutter in the cupboard for 90 mins... then swab me up.
The question shouldn't be whether it's discriminatory, but whether it's fair. It would be unfair to have a 'passport' system that requires someone to prove they have had a vaccine when they haven't been offered one. So, as long as it's introduced after everyone has had the chance of having a vaccine, then it's fair.
It must be fair. But it must also be discriminatory.
It's a certificate.
I understand the objection if vaccine passports prevented people from accessing basic services like healthcare, dentists, supermarkets etc.
What I don't yet understand is why vaccine passports for discretionary entertainment events is a problem, given that they will reduce the risk of virus spreading and arguably make people more likely to attend matches for example.
We have 3 options. Option 1 is to introduce a passport or certificate now (probably impossible) and restrict access to various establishments (pubs, restaurants etc) to those that have the certificate. Option 2 is to keep those establishments closed until everyone has been offered a jab (plus had 2no jab, plus 2 weeks for it to work fully. That won’t work as it’s not “fair” on the owners of the establishments.
Option 3 is to run a hybrid system until everyone has had their jabs. This allows establishments to choose; either allow anyone in but maintain high Covid security and, say, a 25% max capacity OR only permit entry to those with certificates BUT run a more relaxed Covid security and 75-100% capacity. This surely is “fair” to everyone.
I think there’ll be an announcement re limited crowds returning soonish. Hope so anyway.
@firstnamefollowedbylotsnumbers
It doesn't have a photo or passport number on it so it would be pretty useless as a check for entry to pubs etc.
Not really bothered but the idea of these being provided with photos like driving licenses does make me shudder a bit! I would guess there is no real appetite for having to carry round your "DBS card" to get into a pub or hire a car or stay in a hotel.
If you feel your personal well being will be threatened in any way by attending, then don't come.
The possibility of a vaccination certificate on your mobile phone is another discrimination in the making. The test and trace app was a total waste of space because it discriminated between those that had a fairly new smart phone and those that didn’t (my iPhone 6 I was using at the start of the pandemic excluded me from signing up) and therefore probably excluded the old and poor who may have been more likely to be more vulnerable to COVID. If they go down that route as well then half the supporter base will be prevented from going to a game whether they’ve been vaccinated or not.
Everyone will be given the opportunity to take the vaccine and for free. Each personal decision comes with risk and maybe consequences.
Vaccine, Test, or No go.
There are obvious legalities around it all but not sure it sits well with me that unvaccinated people are essentially being outed in public to be sneered at yet others can about their business under the radar, whilst posing a significant threat to those around them.
I've probably framed the above really badly, so be nice
Please ignore. Debate done on other thread.