Covid vaccine passport for UK nightclubs: how will new policy work, from when - and what did Boris Johnson say

Nightclubs will be forced to demand proof of double vaccination as a condition of entry by the end of September.

The new rule arrives amid growing fears that nightclubs and venues could be hubs for major outbreaks of Covid-19.

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Here’s all you need to know about the new NHS Covid Pass requirements.

How will the new NHS Covid Pass work?

From the end of September, people in England will have to prove they have had both Covid vaccination doses to enter nightclubs.

The government has also said proof of double vaccination will be required for “other venues where large crowds gather”.

Nightclubs and businesses were able to reopen without any social distancing measures or Covid entry requirements on Monday (19 July). Currently venues have been “encouraged” to use some sort of Covid vaccination or negative test certification, but this is not mandatory.

The new rules are being introduced after concerns have been raised about the potential scale of Covid infections among crowds of younger, often unvaccinated people in enclosed spaces.

When will vaccine passports be required for entry to nightclubs?

There is no official date in place, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he plans "to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather", by the end of September.

By that date, all 18-year-olds in England will have had the chance to be fully vaccinated. Mr Johnson said 35 per cent of 18-30 year olds were currently completely unvaccinated.

He said: “I don’t want to have to close nightclubs again as they have elsewhere, but it does mean nightclubs need to do the socially responsible thing and make use of the NHS Covid pass.”

UK chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance explained that nightclubs could be “potential super spreading events”.

He told the press conference on Monday (19 July) evening : “Right the way across the world we’ve seen that nightclubs and venues where you’ve got lots of people indoors, crowded together, are a focus for potential super spreading events, and that has also been seen in terms of what’s happened in Holland and Israel where nightclubs opened, and you saw a big increase in cases.”

How do I get a vaccine passport?

There are three methods of getting the NHS Covid Pass.

The first method of proof of second vaccination two weeks after the dose was given.

The second is providing evidence of a negative PCR or lateral flow test result in the past 48 hours - and have reported it on the NHS website (this pass lasts for 48 hours after the result)

Finally, if you have had a positive PCR test result within the past six months, and have finished self-isolating. The pass lasts for 180 days after the result.

The NHS Covid Pass can be requested via the NHS website, or, if you are registered with a GP, the NHS app. This is only available to people in England.

The NHS app is not the NHS Covid-19 app, which is currently used for contact tracing.

Once logged in to the NHS app, you can request the NHS Covid Pass. The system generates a QR code, which lasts for 28 days.

Make sure you apply via the official website or app. Do not click on unsolicited emails or texts.

If you have had both vaccination jabs you can also request a NHS Covid Pass letter by calling 119. This only shows vaccination status and has no expiry date.