The UK is planning to test “coronavirus status certifications” in the coming weeks to determine whether or not people can return to mass meetings, such as concerts, sporting events and nightclubs.
The Associated Press reports that the tests will collect evidence on how different factors that affect events, such as ventilation and social detachment, can allow major events to resume, citing British officials. People who attend these events in April and May will need to be tested for coronavirus before and after attending.
British authorities are also examining COVID-19 passports that will show whether a person has been vaccinated or not, has recently received a COVID-19 test or has some form of immunity to the virus through illness or immunization, reports the AP.
Passes may involve the use of an application or physical notes for those who do not have access to the technology.
UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston told reporters: “The first drivers will almost certainly not involve any elements of certification” and will instead test before and after the events. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to share more details about the plan on Monday, the AP reported.
“We are doing everything we can to allow our country to reopen so that people can return to the events, trips and other things they love in the safest way possible, and these analyzes will play an important role in enabling this to happen,” he said. Johnson. , according to the AP.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Kingdom has confirmed more than 4.3 million cases of coronavirus and more than 126,000 deaths, leaving it as the most affected European country. More than 35 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered so far.
The idea of coronavirus passports has been a topic of debate in the United States, with many legislators from the Republican Party speaking out against it. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiHarris in difficult role as protagonist on the DeSantis border issues executive order banning vaccines passports White House delays launching budget plan MORE He said there are currently no plans for a federal mandate requiring individuals to obtain vaccine credentials and that there will be no centralized federal database.
However, it was reported last week that the White House is working with private companies to develop a standard for vaccine credentials. The Washington Post reports that the initiative will involve free applications that can display a scannable code similar to that of an airline boarding pass.