LONDON (Reuters) – Britain is reviewing the idea of vaccine certificates to provide access to travel, accommodation and entertainment and discussing the best way to proceed in terms of justice, said business minister Kwarsi Kwarteng.
P&O Cruises said on Tuesday that it would only accept as passengers those who received both doses of the vaccine on their travels across the UK this summer, starting a new debate on the subject.
When asked about the fairness of companies that require proof of vaccination to allow entry and what is the government’s position on the matter, Kwarteng said it is being analyzed.
“We are discussing what is the best way to proceed,” Kwarteng told the BBC.
More than half of Britain’s adult population will have received their first injection of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the week.
Kwarteng said there are two separate issues, that of vaccine certification or so-called vaccine passports for access to theaters, restaurants and venues in Britain, and that of vaccine certification to allow travel abroad.
Airlines and vacationers across Europe are desperate for travel to resume this summer, after a year of COVID-19 restrictions left them struggling to survive.
The European Union has a plan to launch a COVID-19 pass or “green digital certificate” to allow free travel within the bloc this summer.
But the UK is not part of the bloc and may need agreements with European countries so that the British can travel, which may include requirements for vaccine certificates.
“With international travel, you are dealing with other countries and they will have their own opinion about the policies you have,” Kwarteng told ITV.
Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Turkey said they will receive people arriving in the UK, who have already received the vaccine or have had a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Britain said holidays would not be allowed until 17 May, but the rise in the number of COVID-19 infections in some parts of Europe could hinder the country’s plans to reopen some routes.
“I think that what we also have to do is to be guided by the data, we have to see how the coronavirus develops,” Kwarteng told the BBC during a trip.
Saga declared in January that only fully vaccinated people would be allowed to board their cruises.
Sarah Young reporting; edition by Estelle Shirbon