Pubs could be allowed to refuse unvaccinated drinkers, Boris Johnson signals

Industry leaders say vetting customers would be ‘simply unworkable’

Pubs could be allowed to refuse customers who cannot prove they’ve been vaccinated, Boris Johnson signalled amid reports social distancing could be lifted for establishments that check Covid status before allowing entry.

The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that whether a vaccine certificate could be required to enter a pub “may be up to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord”.

It comes as ministers are considering the relaxation of Covid rules at pubs that demand Covid-free certification from all customers, according to a report in The Guardian.

The measure is being considered as part of the government’s review into social distancing measures, which is due to report in June, the newspaper said.

The consultation on certification is understood to be looking at whether an NHS app could be modified to allow people to show whether they had been recently tested or vaccinated against Covid-19.

Mr Johnson said he believed vaccine certifications are supported by the British public, who want him “to take all the actions I can to protect them”.

The government has resisted calls for mandatory vaccine “passports” to permit individuals to access particular venues, like restaurants and concert halls.

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And lawyers have questioned whether it would be legal for employers to demand proof of a jab if the requirement was not already written into workers’ contracts.

But while Mr Johnson shied away from any state-mandated certification as he answered questions at the House of Commons Liaison Committee on Wednesday, his comments were seen as a stronger endorsement of Covid certification compared to previous statements.

He suggested that, once lockdown restrictions are lifted, venue operators would be within their rights to demand proof of vaccination from customers.

Asked if a vaccine certificate could be required to enter a pub, Mr Johnson said: “I think that that’s the kind of thing – it may be up to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord.”

Mr Johnson said that the concept of “no jab no job” in particular professions “should not be totally alien to us”, as doctors already have to have hepatitis B jabs.

He said that the idea “doesn’t seem to me to be irresponsible at all, far from it. It is wholly responsible for care home companies to think about requiring vaccinations”.

The PM said that many MPs want tougher restrictions, adding: “I find myself in this long national conversation thinking very deeply about it, and the public have been thinking very deeply about it.

“My view is there is a huge wisdom in the public’s feeling about this. Human beings instinctively recognise when something is dangerous and nasty to them and they can see that Covid is collectively a threat.

“They want us as their government and me as prime minister to take all the actions I can to protect them.”

However, the concept of vaccine certificates drew sharp backlash from backbenchers and hospitality groups, who said it would be “unworkable” for pubs and other venues.

Tory MP and deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of lockdown sceptics Steve Baker warned such requirements could create a “two-tier Britain” for those unable to take up the vaccine for medical reasons.

He said: “The prime minister began to tread a dangerous path when he opened the door to domestic Covid certificates.

“First they said we’ll need them to watch the football, and today that it may be papers for the pub.

“Whether the state legislates for it, recommends it or simply allows it the result will be the same: a two-tier Britain that prevents pregnant women from taking part in society, given that the government is telling them not to take the vaccine, or one where we turn back the clock and tolerate businesses turning away customers from communities which have shown an unfortunate hesitancy to take up the offer of a vaccine.

“We must not fall into this ghastly trap.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “It’s crucial that visiting the pub and other parts of hospitality should not be subject to mandatory vaccination certification.

“It is simply unworkable, would cause conflict between staff and customers and almost certainty result in breaches of equality rules.

“Through the success of the vaccine rollout we need to throw off the shackles of coronavirus in line with the government’s roadmap, not impose more checks on our ability to socialise and do business.”

A British Beer and Pub Association spokesperson added: “Our sector has already gone to extraordinary lengths to prepare for reopening and we do not believe a requirement for pubs to check whether someone has had the vaccine would be appropriate or necessary.”

The Independent has contacted the Department for Health and Social Care for comment.