COVID-19: What are the vaccine certification rules that MPs voted on? | Political news

One of the most controversial aspects of the government’s COVID “Plan B” is the requirement that certain sites perform vaccine testing and certification.

Boris Johnson suffers biggest Conservative uprising since 2019, as 100 Tory MPs opposed the introduction of the proposals.

Despite the massive rebellion, the House of Commons has approved the mandatory use of NHS COVID cards in nightclubs and major events in the UK.

What is the purpose of the new rules?

Follow explanatory notes about the law, whose purpose is “to impose an obligation on those who organize certain events or manage certain venues, to take reasonable steps to ensure that they do not admit any persons to certain event or location, unless the person is fully immunized or has tested negative for coronavirus within the past 48 hours”.

The regulations will only apply in the UK.

When will the new regulations take effect?

With MPs voting in favor of the measure, the provisions of the regulation will go into effect at 6am on Wednesday.

What is the venue expected to do?

Sites will have to check if a person has received a negative test no more than 48 hours before the event or has completed “a course of two allowable doses of vaccine” – with the second dose being received at least two week prior to the event.

If the person is participating in, or has participated in, a clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine, or for clinical reasons is unable to receive the vaccine, they will be exempt.

Venues will be able to apply to their local authorities to request a specific exemption from testing people if they believe doing so could jeopardize the safety of any person. attend. For example, if checkpoints cannot be set up far enough away from the entrance to avoid crowds gathering.

The site manager will be required to issue and update a statement setting out the measures they intend to take to meet the obligations and how they will be implemented.

What evidence will they need to see?

For proof of a negative test, the following documents will be eligible:

• Test results are registered with the NHS COVID pass smartphone app or equivalent app from any UK overseas territory, the Channel Islands of the Isle of Man.
• Letters from the NHS
• Notification of test results from a valid qualifying test from an accredited provider

For proof of immunization status, the following documents will be eligible:

• Immunization cards generated by the NHS COVID app or equivalent from any UK overseas territory, the Channel Islands of the Isle of Man.
• Letters from the NHS
• COVID certificate issued by EU, US or other approved third countries

What sites will be required to check for recent negative vaccination or test status?

• Nightclubs, discos, discos
• Indoor live music venues, theaters, and concert halls with 500 or more people expected to stand or move around during the performance
• Indoor exhibition or hall where more than 500 people are expected to stand or move during the event
• Indoor sports stadiums, arenas, centres, pools or rinks where more than 500 people are expected to stand or move around the venue.
• Outdoor sports stadiums, arenas, centres, pools or rinks with more than 4,000 people are expected to stand or move around the venue.
• All locations open anytime from 1am to 5am
• Any place that serves alcohol after 1am
• Any venue with a dance floor for members of the public
• Any venue that offers music, live or recorded, for dancing
• Any venue capable of hosting a gathering of 10,000 people on any occasion when 10,000 or more people are expected to attend the venue.

Are there any exemptions for those locations?

• Music venues with no space to dance
• If dancing takes place only as part of a performance, amateur or professional, include an element of dance or a rehearsal for that performance.
• Dance events take place outside and have fewer than 4,000 participants at any given time.
• Private housing is waived when entrance fees or gathering tickets are charged – but this does not include hotels, dormitories, private members’ clubs, student accommodation or accommodation for members of the public. members of the armed forces.

Any other exemptions?

Yes, as long as there are no entrance fees or ticket sales, venues are not required to check negative tests or vaccination status because they are hosting the following events:

• family worship,
• Weddings and civil partnerships
• Wedding
• Funeral
• Wake up
• Celebrations of important life events – such as the birth of a child, coming of age, or becoming a full member of a religion.

How will it be enforced?

Local government officials will be appointed by the local government. They will have the right to enter any facility at reasonable hours to conduct an inspection if they believe there is a violation of regulations.

They will be able to issue a Coronavirus Improvement Notice, which serves as a warning that changes need to be made by a certain time, or an immediate Restriction and Restriction Notice, requesting closure. door facility immediately or immediately changes are made. Fixed penalty notices of up to £10,000 may be issued to repeat offenders.

Any notice given may be appealed in the Court of First Instance.

Do you need a booster shot for a qualified COVID vaccine certificate?

Not initially. The wording of the regulations MPs are being asked to pass says that a person will be deemed to have completed a round of authorized doses of the vaccine if they have “received at least 2 doses of any [approved] vaccine “or” has received a dose of an authorized vaccine and a dose of another authorized vaccine. “

However, in a statement to parliament, Health Minister Sajid Javid told MPs: “Once all adults have had a reasonable opportunity to get booster injections, we intend to change the exemption. minus this to require a booster dose”.

Do you need to self-isolate if you have been in close contact with someone with COVID?

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs: “From tomorrow [Tuesday] Fully vaccinated contacts of a COVID-19 case will now be able to perform daily lateral flow testing instead of self-isolating. This is an important way to minimize disruption to people’s daily lives and avoid the so-called pandemic. “

Is there enough lateral flow checking?

The government has sought to address suggestions about the lack of lateral flow tests.

Mr Javid told MPs: “I can assure this house that the UK has enough lateral flow tests to see us in the coming weeks. If anyone finds they cannot load the kit. tools online, they should check out the website below, or they can go to their local pharmacy and pick up a kit”

However, there were widely reported on Monday people who are having trouble ordering online and pharmacies are running out of stock.