And so it begins - with pubs?

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/24/pubs-should-decide-whether-to-demand-vaccine-passports-pm-says

Some rather good points raised in the article to be fair

I’ve already decided in my head to use pubs on a nice day and sit outside, same with a couple of cafes I use

We have the whole of the summer to be outside where it is far safer than indoors

Everyone else can do as the want within the laws

I'm older so have had my jab, I would probably actively avoid places that asked for this like I did the one that used the app.

It won't happen anytime soon because their main clientele hasn't even had their first jab

I have been taking my own coffee and drinks out for the past year and don't drink alcohol so will look forward to saving my money further by not going to these places, there will probably only be a choice of Wetherspoons or Wetherspoons anyway as many will probably not survive.

I think it’s a good idea to have it as an option for businesses, no one has suggested that they have to (and many won’t) but it means they have a choice between opening back up with restrictions, or opening at a more normal capacity but insisting on vaccinations. Different venues have different capacities, target clientele, set ups etc so for some it’ll make sense and others it won’t. Having the option gives them the choice to decide what works best for their business, hopefully giving them a better chance for survival after a terrible year.

[quote HolmeH]@IceCreamAndCandyfloss - did you go out last summer? Pubs & restaurants were rammed (as much as they were allowed to be).. I don’t think people are going to be to concerned..

I cannot wait to be in a crowd. My local supermarket was really busy last weekend, the clothes isles were so busy you basically had to queue & wait your turn to fit down with a trolley! It felt so good. Normal almost. I just can’t wait to feel that buzz in a restaurant or theatre or Christmas market.. I miss it all so much!

I’m not against vaccine passports but only once everyone has been offered their first dose here in the UK. It’s grossly unfair on the low risk under 40’s otherwise![/quote]
Yes I did go out last summer, and to no pubs that were "rammed". I went to clean and well-organised pubs with spaced out tables, table service only, or sat outside while the server came to the table.

My first thought was similar to a previous poster in that many of those working in the pub wont have yet been offered the vaccine so how does that work?

Will they be able to stay on furlough or will they be forced out of a job? Realistically the pub will need to employ more staff who are vaccinated to enable it to operate fully given they will be potentially expecting to be serving a full capacity of customers?

When this was discussed on previous threads I speculated that one reason this may be a bad idea is that if younger people realise that once pubs reopen they won't actually be allowed to go there because of not having the vaccine, their compliance with all other restrictions may instantly stop. Well, a large proportion of them. So they'll be seeing multiple friends in houses, given they know in a couple of months the pub will still be closed to them.

All it does is breed further resentment, and perhaps less compliance with the rules as they are right now, which surely isn't good for the situation. It's so depressing on here that some people support this- my mum is in her 60s and thinks it's disgusting though.

BBC are really pushing this, why am I not surprised, they are showing all the newspaper headlines with it, probably because they can't bang on about no jab, no holiday now, so have turned to pubs instead

Less than half of over 65s have smartphones, so if the expectation is that vaccination status will be documented via an app, most of those vaccinated will not be able to participate.

@CrunchyCarrot

Johnson said he believed Covid certification had the backing of the British people who understood the need for protective measures, and suggested he backed a more wide-ranging use for vaccine passports, which a committee led by Michael Gove is currently investigating.

Groan.

Johnson said there was already widespread use of similar requirements in medical professions. “I do think that the basic concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us because, after all, when you are entrusted with the care of a patient and you’re a surgeon, you’re expected to have a vaccination against hepatitis B,” he said.

Because that's SO similar to going down the pub.

Well... brain association for me I read 'lied' instead of 'led' as I saw Gove's name.

@Hardbackwriter

Steve Baker, the Conservative deputy chair of the Covid Recovery Group of lockdown-sceptic MPs, said it was deeply concerning.

“Whether the state legislates for it, recommends it or simply allows it the result will be the same,” he said.

“A two-tier Britain that prevents pregnant women from taking part in society, given that the government is telling them not to take the vaccine, or one where we turn back the clock and tolerate businesses turning away customers from communities which have shown an unfortunate hesitancy to take up the offer of a vaccine. We must not fall into this ghastly trap.”

Oh God, I agree with something Steve Baker said. I feel like I need a shower.

I know, I am re-evaluating my entire self!

Wonder if David Davis will resign again

I hate this so much, the idea of any forced/coerced vaccination.

(And no, I’m not anti vaccine, I’ll have it as soon as I’m offered it and I volunteered to be in the trials. I am just strongly against anything like this)

Tbh, it sounds to me like the government haven't got a clue so they are flailing.

Vaccine passports won't work - they will be takeable unless VERY expensive to set up.

We aren't even sure if vaccines can solve the variant issue.

We don't know what % of customers will return to pubs.

We don't know if we can stop all distancing.

This is cart before the horse (again).

@TableFlowerss

I can’t see many landlords/restaurants asking for certificates. They’ve been closed for the best part of a year for normal trade so there’s highly unlikely to insist on vaccines.

They’ll be needing the income and understandably!

I would agree, but they may become uninsurable without it.

'takeable' should read fakeable

First it will be pubs

Then it will be restaurants, cafes, cinemas, clubs, theatres, music venues etc etc etc

Compulsory vaccination and vaccination passports by stealth

@ChristinaYang10

I hate this so much, the idea of any forced/coerced vaccination.

(And no, I’m not anti vaccine, I’ll have it as soon as I’m offered it and I volunteered to be in the trials. I am just strongly against anything like this)

Same.

@AlecTrevelyan006

First it will be pubs

Then it will be restaurants, cafes, cinemas, clubs, theatres, music venues etc etc etc

Compulsory vaccination and vaccination passports by stealth

100% agree. The pubs are just them testing the water. If they see it as accepted by pubs it will absolutely be applied to other sectors.

@Quit4me

I predicted this months ago and got called ridiculous. It’s absolutely appalling. What happens to pregnant ladies or those unable to have the vaccine for any reason? Forcing vaccination by stealth. Wtf has happened to us this past year. Feel like I’m in the twilight zone. Mild illness for most and all the vulnerable have been vaccinated!

It's disgusting, as is anyone who agrees with it.

@Hardbackwriter what concerned me more was yesterday Steve Baker and Ed Davey were on the same page on extending the Covid Bill, and I agreed with them both.

No, it's Mr Johnson speculating, leaving it up to individual pubs no doubt, or ruling it out after negative reaction. Instead of something such as keeping table service for a period after 21 June, for example. Or ask for the unreasonable so that something else can slip through the net.

He will follow what Tim Martin (Weatherspoons owner) wants in the end.

My first thought was similar to a previous poster in that many of those working in the pub wont have yet been offered the vaccine so how does that work?

Simple, all staff tested before a shift. Only customers will be required to be vaccinated.

What if the staff member tests positive?

Simple, all staff tested before a shift. Only customers will be required to be vaccinated.

So what happens if someone tests positive? Presumably then the pub will have to send all staff for a test and remain closed?

People under 50 will be allowed to work in pubs, just like unvaccinated teachers can work in schools. I'll be able to see hundreds of kids every day, but not go to the pub, because week knows when I'll get my jab?