​Clubs and festivals urged to use NHS COVID Pass by government

With clubs reopening in just under a week and yesterday’s confirmation that July 19 will go ahead as planned, the government is now encouraging large scale events to use an NHS COVID Pass app.

Although there will be no legal requirements around entry into nightclubs and festivals, many are now mapping the safest route for reopening.

Last week, Boris Johnson announced that the roadmap was this time set in stone, where the government had previously moved the official reopening of nightlife from June 21 to July 19.

Now, the government is urging clubs and festivals deemed "high risk", which accounts for all higher capacity events, to use NHS COVID Passes.

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The pass will prove that an attendee has either been double vaccinated (having received their second jab at least 10 days before), has tested negative in the past 48 hours, or has positive antibodies in their system.

As it stands, there are no legal requirements when clubs open next week, meaning no social distancing, masks or capacity limits will need to be adhered to.

Boris Johnson addressed the public last night, encouraging the nightlife industry to follow government guidance as “a matter of social responsibility.”

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NTIA boss Michael Kill stated yesterday after the government announced more details surrounding July 19:

“After 16 months of crippling restrictions, businesses in the night time economy are ready to play our part in the safe reopening of society. Today should mark the beginning of nightlife’s long journey to rebuild itself.”

He also said that there were “important hurdles ahead for our sector, including self-isolation rules, which have the potential to throw the recovery off course.”

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter