Covid passports could be scrapped for bars next week
The need for vaccine passports in some settings could be scrapped next week, with First Minister Paul Givan saying he wanted to see the use of Covid certification ended altogether.
It is understood proof of Covid status in pubs, restaurants and cinemas will not be required by law from January 26, under plans to be debated by the Executive.
However, passports would still be needed for nightclubs and some indoor events.
Nightclubs could re-open from next Friday, January 28, while large indoor standing events might also resume on that date.
The measures are among a raft of “phased approach” proposals detailed in Stormont’s roadmap to ease Omicron restrictions in the coming weeks as cases of the virus peak and hospitalisations stabilise.
The continued use of Covid passes in venues where they are currently required to prove vaccine status will be “strongly encouraged” however – but this will become guidance and not law. Ministers are expected to decide today on a date for this to be implemented.
Other proposed easing of restrictions include:
- Scrapping the ‘rule of six’ and the requirement to be seated with table-only service in hospitality venues from January 28
- A cap on the number of households meeting indoors to be lifted from this Friday
- From January 28, offices will no longer have to take “reasonable measures” to ensure two metre social distancing – though risk assessments should be carried out
The DUP MLA told the BBC: “In terms of reducing its application in certain settings, I will support reduction of its use but my preference is that the Covid mandatory passport scheme is removed in its entirety.”
He added that the next Executive meeting on 10 February would be an “important one” when other measures would be discussed, adding he wanted to see movement on the wearing of face masks.
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor will also brief Stormont leaders later on the latest projections.
Numbers of critically ill hospital patients have reduced with 25 Covid patients in ICU on Wednesday. There were 404 patients with the virus in hospital, a reduction of eight on the previous day.
However, frontline staff remain under intense pressure sue to soaring absences linked to the Omicron variant.
