Wales to require ‘COVID Pass’ for entry to nightclubs and events from October

People will have to show NHS COVID Passes in order to enter certain venues, such as nightclubs, from October in Wales.

All the places that will require an NHS COVID Pass for entry are ‘higher risk’, more crowded recreational venues.

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Coming into effect on October 11, the new rule will mean that people in Wales need to an NHS COVID Pass 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.

According to the NHS website, an NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status. You can get a digital copy of your pass on the NHS app or using the online NHS Covid Pass system.

When asked about whether this COVID pass is merely another way to enforce vaccine passports Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, emphasised that these do not act as a vaccine passport. He stated that they are ‘clearly not’ vaccine passports because people ‘can get COVID without having the vaccination’.

The First Minister has said in a press conference that Wales is encouraging people to take “collective measures” to ensure COVID safety.

He also stressed that nightclubs and tightly packed events should be monitored more closely due to the lack of ventilation available in these spaces. ‘Many other places already use some form of COVID passes’, says the First Minister.

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“Across Wales, coronavirus cases have risen to very high levels over the summer as more people have been gathering and meeting. Tragically, more people are dying from this terrible virus.

“The very strong advice we have from our scientific advisers is to take early action to prevent infections from increasing further. The last thing we want is further lockdowns and for businesses to have to close their doors once again. That’s why we must take small but meaningful action now to control the spread of the virus and reduce the need for tougher measures later.”

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter