Covid-19 Vaccine Passports Proposed For Premier League Matches And Large Events

Fans attending Premier League football matches and other large scale events, could, from October, be forced to show a Covid-19 vaccine passport.

It is believed that talks are at an early stage with the Premier League to discuss whether supporters who have not been double-jabbed could be barred from entry.

The use of vaccine passports could also be extended to lower divisions and other sports in England as ministers seek to reduce the surge of Covid-19 cases as other restrictions are ended.

While no final decisions have been made, it is currently being discussed whether vaccine passports could be introduced for seated events with a capacity of 20,000 people and over.

In unseated events such as music gigs, where there are greater concerns about the lack of social distancing allowing strangers to mingle and potentially spread the Covid-19 virus, the threshold for their introduction could be as low as 5,000 attendees.

A Government source said: “It’s important that fans can continue to watch sporting events over the autumn, which is why we’re exploring the role vaccines might play in this.

“This will not only allow full capacity stadiums but has the added bonus of incentivising people of all ages to go and get their jab.”

One area still said to be under discussion is whether a recent negative test could allow entry to football matches, but their use has been ruled out for nightclubs.

The PM sparked a backlash on Monday when he made the nightclubs announcement, as he ended most of England’s remaining coronavirus restrictions and allowed the venues to reopen for the first time since March last year.

He said they could also be ‘made a condition of entry for other venues where large crowds gather’ adding that the ‘proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.’

Shadow sports secretary Jo Stevens said: “To insist on vaccine passports less than a month before the start of the season will cause major disruptions, especially for clubs at the lower end of the pyramid.

“Labour has been clear that the use of Covid vaccination status alone will exclude those who can’t be vaccinated or haven’t had the jab because of delays.

“Being double jabbed doesn’t prove you aren’t carrying the virus.

“Testing for access to venues would be more efficient.”