Covid passport

 People across the UK now need to show their Covid status to get into nightclubs and many large venues.

However, restrictions in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland mean that many of the places where these passes would be needed are not currently open.

What are the rules for England?

Some venues and events are legally required to check the Covid status of visitors over 18. This applies to:

·  nightclubs

·indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people

·unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people

· any venue with more than 10,000 people

You can now only enter these venues if you can show:

· an NHS Covid Pass confirming you've been vaccinated with two doses of an approved vaccine (or a single dose of Janssen vaccine)

·a negative PCR or rapid lateral flow test (LFT) result, taken within the last 48 hours

·proof that you have a medical exemption or are taking part in a clinical trial

·Proof of natural immunity - for instance, a positive PCR test taken in the past six months - is not accepted as an alternative to proof of vaccination or a recent test.

·Some large events aren't included in the rules, including communal worship, wedding ceremonies, funerals, protests, and mass-participation sporting events (such as a marathon).

What's the situation in the rest of the UK?

With nightclubs closed and restrictions in place on large events in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, many of the settings requiring Covid passports are not currently operating.

In Wales, people need to show their NHS Covid Pass to gain entry to cinemas, theatres, and concert halls many business listings.

Prior to the current restrictions, the scheme also applied to nightclubs and comparable venues, unseated indoor live events for more than 500 people, unseated outdoor live events for more than 4,000 people, and any event for more than 10,000 people.

Over-16s who have been fully vaccinated in Wales or England can use the pass to prove their status, but it's only compulsory for over-18s.

People can show a negative LFT result instead of proof of vaccination, but this must now have been done within the previous 24 hours and not 48 hours.

The venues that came under Scotland's scheme - nightclubs and large indoor and outdoor events - are currently closed under restrictions to be reviewed on 11 January.

They required proof of a negative test within 24 hours or proof of vaccination, which could be shown with the NHS Scotland Covid Status App, the NHS App (if from England or Wales) or Covidcert NI app (if from Northern Ireland) - a printed paper version would also be acceptable.

Under-18s were exempt, as were vaccine trial participants, and those who couldn't be vaccinated for medical reasons.

Northern Ireland's Covid passport scheme applies to pubs, restaurants, cinemas, and theatres - as well as nightclubs and large events which are currently closed.

People can either show proof of vaccination, proof of a negative lateral flow test taken in the previous 48 hours, or proof of a positive PCR test taken in the previous 30-180 days.

The COVID Cert NI app can be used to show proof of vaccination, or a paper version can be requested business listings.

· Q&A: How do I get a Covid-19 passport in NI?

How are Covid passports enforced?

In England, the government says venues not complying could face prosecution or a fixed penalty notice ranging from £1,000 to £10,000.

In Wales, fixed penalty notices can be issued up to a maximum of £10,000. That is also the maximum fine in Northern Ireland, where the government has said police will visit venues to check compliance.

Councils in Scotland have the power to issue enforcement notices which could lead to prosecution for non-compliance.

What about foreign travel?

Covid passes can also be used for traveling abroad, to show your vaccination status or test results.

However, it is important to check Foreign Office advice for any other requirements at your destination, before you travel.

What tests do I need to go on holiday?

Do Covid passports work?

As yet there is no evidence that Covid passports stop the spread of the virus.

They have however led to an increase in vaccination rates in some countries where they've been introduced, according to a study by researchers at the University of Oxford, which was published in the Lancet free business listings.

France, Israel, Italy, Switzerland had lower-than-average vaccination rates before announcing plans for Covid certification.

Each country subsequently experienced a large increase in vaccine take-up 20 days before and 40 days after the introduction of the passports.

Passes made little difference to vaccination rates in other countries such as Germany where take-up was already above average, or in Denmark where the supply of doses was limited.