Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce COVID-19 vaccine passports to help decrease transmission rates.

Mandatory vaccine or test based certification was introduced in certain non-essential settings across England from 15 December 2021. Visitors to specified settings are required to show evidence of their COVID-19 status. This can be obtained either through full vaccination, a recent negative test result or an exemption on the basis of medical reasons or clinical trial participation.

Vaccine or test certification reduces risks in affected settings in comparison with no intervention. However, it does not eliminate the possibility of infectious people attending or transmitting the virus in these settings so individuals should continue to exercise caution.

On 19 January 2022, in response to data which showed that COVID-19 cases are falling and the high levels of vaccination and booster uptake have helped to reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalisations, the Government announced the end of mandatory certification to access certain settings. From 27 January, venues will no longer be legally required to check the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry.

The domestic NHS COVID Pass will remain available in the NHS App, should venues wish to continue to require proof of COVID-19 status as a condition of entry to reduce risk for attendees and staff. Organisations that operate places where large crowds gather should continue to use certification as a tool to assist the safety of their venues.