Majority of night-time economy businesses think vaccine passports would damage business
In a flash survey of 700 firms within the night-time economy, hospitality and events sectors, 69% said that enforcing the need to ask customers for Covid-status certification, testing or immunity proof would be damaging to their business.
Meanwhile, 70% of respondents said the introduction of Covid-status certification - more commonly referred to as 'vaccine passports' - was not necessary to open their event or premises.
As the country moves out of lockdown, the proposed introduction of Covid-status certification has become a hot-button topic within the industry and Government.
While the Prime Minister has confirmed that 'vaccine passports' will not play a part in reopening the economy at present, the potential use of them further down the line, particularly for the night-time economy and events sector, is the subject of ongoing debate.
Later this month the Government is to launch an event pilot scheme that is designed to see whether the use of Covid-status certification can allow mass events such as concerts and sporting matches to take place.
As part of the initial list of pilots, a circa 3,000 person event will take place at Circus Nightclub in Liverpool for an indoor club night on Friday 30 April.
“There is a stark disparity between the way that night-time economy businesses and other industries are being treated by the Government, made even clearer by the Prime Minister’s suggestion that pubs, restaurants, hotels, and public transport will be excluded from proposed measures presented around Covid-status certification,” says Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA.
“If retail, supermarkets, public transport, hotels, pubs and restaurants are excluded from the use of Covid-status certification, with many of these businesses displaying similar contact and proximity environments, why would nightclubs and other environments be expected to ask customers to present Covid Status Certification as a prerequisite or requirement of entry?”
Kill notes that initial feedback from consumers is that many are not comfortable using health information to gain access to venues or events in the UK, and the use of certification will discourage customers from attending these environments in the future.
“Businesses are likewise frustrated at the way in which the Government is communicating these potential restrictions - with many feeling a considerable number of questions left unanswered," he adds.
"These businesses have suffered extreme financial hardship for over 12 months and are desperate to open, but they have been left feeling uncertain once again following a Government announcement."
