How seriously is the government considering immunity passports? It seemed we had a definitive answer in December when vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi categorically ruled them out on Spectator TV. He told viewers: ‘There will not be an immunity passport… as far as vaccinations [go], we’re not looking at immunity passports at all.’
This followed comments from Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove days before also confirming there were ‘no plans’ for such a scheme. But these promises haven’t exactly aligned with government action. The Telegraph disclosed last month that £450,000 worth of government grants had been dished out to at least eight different schemes to create digital vaccine passports. Today the Times reveals that the Foreign, Transport and Health departments are all working on a ‘certification system’ that would enable travellers to prove their vaccine status when arriving in a different country.
If the government U-turns on its pledge not to distinguish between residents based on their immunity status, it is not yet clear how far it would take it.
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