Mon 12th Jul 2021 - Nightclubs urged to use covid certification but not a legal requirement as restrictions lift Nightclubs urged to use covid certification but not a legal requirement as restrictions lift: Nightclubs are being urged to require covid certification from their customers, although it would not be a legal requirement. Prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed most remaining covid-19 laws in England will be lifted on 19 July, including social distancing, but businesses will now be “expected” to apply new guidelines to control the disease. Johnson wants to scrap “government by diktat” but he will pass responsibility to businesses, other public bodies and individuals to try to contain the epidemic, which is spreading rapidly. These include “high-risk” venues, such as nightclubs, being expected to require customers to show they have received both vaccinations or proof of a negative test within the past 48 hours. The covid “certification” idea, which had been assumed to have been effectively killed off, is seen by the government as a way of helping keep down the number of infections during the current third wave, as well as offering a further incentive to the public to get vaccinated. Rekom UK chief executive Peter Marks told Propel: “The government is urging us to do it but not telling us to do it, and we are not going to do it. This is for a number of reasons including the fact most of our customers are not vaccinated. We will be making sure we highlight our safety guidelines and, in particular, how well ventilated our clubs are – with fresh air being pumped in every five minutes.” As expected, pubs will again be able to serve customers at the bar with table-only service no longer being in force. While Johnson scrapped the “work from home” rule, he said staff would be encouraged to make a “gradual return to the workplace over the summer months”. Another guideline sees the public “expected” to wear a mask in crowded places, including public transport and shops but, again, there will be no legal requirement to do so. With ministers admitting daily case numbers could soar to a record 100,000 after legal restrictions are lifted, Johnson sent out a message of “caution and restraint”. Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill said: “We look forward to the government providing more guidance for businesses owners – this should be practical and easy to navigate. But, from the statement, we can say the government is right not to mandate the use of covid status certification systems. Much of the night-time economy relies on spontaneous consumers, and by permitting businesses to opt out, the government have allowed for this trade to continue.” Sacha Lord, night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, tweeted: “Now the hard work starts. The road to recovery, that will take years. A huge moment for hospitality businesses, hospitality jobs and, more importantly, people’s mental health.” British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “After almost 18 months of closure or heavy restrictions, ‘Freedom Day’ on 19 July is a huge milestone for our sector. We anticipate some 2,000 more pubs could reopen from 19 July. These are pubs that were unable to reopen and operate viably because of the restrictions. The recovery of our sector is just beginning, with the past 18 months practically being written off for them. Having been one of the worst-hit sectors by lockdown, our pubs and brewers now need the government to invest in them by reforming VAT, beer duty and business rates to reduce the unfair tax burden they face and aid their recovery. We do have concerns over guidance for the sector, which is expected to be published soon, as restrictions are lifted. We await the detail of this but are resolute that any new guidance must not be used to impose unnecessary and unfair restrictions on pubs via the back door – resulting in ‘Freedom Day’ for pubs being in name only.”