In an impact study, reported in the Telegraph, that seems to suggest Goverment officials have come to realise that Covid 19 doesn’t know the difference between a late bar and a music venue, can’t tell the time and doesn’t dance, the authors suggest that a Covid passport scheme could cause people to overcrowd premises that are not bound by tightened restrictons. Specifically, the report warns that “There is potential displacement between live events venues and hospitality venues. A core concern in the sector is that certification could displace activity and business away from music venues to, say, pubs with music and late alcohol licences, etc, which could be counterintuitive and potentially counter-productive”.
Commenting, LIVE CEO, Greg Parmley said:
“Today’s news confirms that a move to mandatory vaccine passports would be a mistake. These passports would cost the live music industry billions of pounds while aspects of the roll out would be impractical and potentially dangerous.
“Our industry has been unjustifiably held to a higher standard than any other throughout the pandemic. Now the government’s own impact assessment makes it clear that far from reducing transmission rates, insisting on mandatory vaccine passports in venues is likely to do the exact opposite.
“Across the country, music venues and events already have tried, tested and workable systems in place to ensure that live events continue to be safe. As one of the hardest hit industries throughout the pandemic the government should be focused on supporting us to rebuild, not forcing these unworkable conditions upon us.”
