Covid passports and chocolate fireguards - a study in stupidity

By Ed Bedington

- Last updated on GMT

Can Covid passports stop the spread of Omnicron?

Related tags Government Legislation Coronavirus Passport Pubs Nightclub

And so, the divisive Covid passports come into effect today for nightclubs and large gatherings across England.

According to ministers, the move is to help us contain the spread of the new Omicron variant, and this is a vital tool in that fight.

I’m not sure if anyone has pointed out to them that Covid passports have been in use in Scotland for some time now, and as far as I can tell, they’ve been about as much use in containing the Omicron variant over the border as a chocolate fireguard. They've been so successful up there that the Scottish Government is already threatening further restrictions on top...

Once again, we’re presented with an illusion of control, action and decisive behaviour from a government that doesn’t seem to realise that the illusion isn’t working - we can see the cards up the sleeve and that rabbit just poked its head out of the empty hat.

Agenda is clear

Are Covid passports going to stop the spread of the virus? No, of course they’re not. But they are going to hamper the abilities of certain sectors of the hospitality sector to trade effectively, at one of the most important times of the year.

The Government agenda is clear on this - they’re driving people to take the vaccine and applying pressure on the places that will pinch the most among those who have yet to get jabbed.

Sadly it would appear that the price they’re willing to pay is to sacrifice businesses that have already been constantly under the cosh throughout this crisis.

Interestingly, the recent rebellion by Tory MPs in the House of Commons has shown a lack of appetite for further restrictions. Although given the placid complacency of the opposition, nodding things through without any real challenge or amendments, that rebellion may not prove strong enough to defeat a plan C the next time Boris is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, but we can but hope.

Related topics Legislation

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