UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing backlash from his own MPs after supporting Covid vaccine passports as a measure to enable the public to use services once the lockdown restrictions are lifted.
The government has insisted it is only right for people are able to prove they have been vaccinated as a way of avoiding further measures to curb the tide of the virus.
Read more: Digital Covid vaccine passport enters development
Lockdown restrictions in the UK are set to be lifted on April 12, with the UK moving towards "step 2" of the Covid recovery scheme which will allow pubs, non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor gyms to reopen.
Scientists have warned of the potential for a resurgence in Covid cases by June - when restrictions are set to be removed entirely - stating the chance of a spike is "highly likely."
The government previously admitted they would not be introducing mandatory Covid vaccine passports, instead allowing businesses to opt into mandating them, emphasising the requirement of "consent."
More than 70 MPs, 40 of whom are Conservatives, stand to oppose the introduction of “divisive and discriminatory use of Covid status certification."
They are suggested the bid could be shut down in the Commons.
Johnson has highlighted potential ethical concerns with just limited the passports to just vaccines, with MPs mulling the idea of adding tracing and tests to the programmes.
A government statement said: “Introducing a ban on this would in most cases be an unjustified intrusion on how businesses choose to make their premises safe.”
The prime minister is still optimistic recovery plans are on track, altering a press conference there was “nothing in the present data that makes us think we will have to deviate from that road map."
He added: “First of all we need to work out exactly what the proposal might be, but certainly if there is something to put to Parliament I have no doubt that we will be doing that.”
However, he ran a blank on whether or not Covid immunity certification would be required after June 21, when the lockdown restrictions will be lifted fully.
The government has revealed that Covid passports will not be mandated for certain public services, such as public transport or essential shops, specifying an "access for all" mentality.
For the most part, it will be down to businesses to decide whether or not they will require proof of Covid immunity for access.
A government report into the certification states such passports could help sports events, nightclubs and theatres reopen. The government is planning a series of trials to test their hypothesis.
The FT reports the passport is to be based on the NHS app, which will record vaccinations, test results and whether or not an individual has ever suffered from Covid-19.
Johnson has cautiously informed the public of the hope that people will be able to take summer holidays abroad this year, after last summer saw tourist economies, such as Greece suffer due to lack of traffic.
Read more: Greece pressures EU for vaccine passport
Non-essential foreign travel is still banned until May 17 and will be opened up as part of the third phase of the recovery plan.
The government has urged the public not to book any holidays until it has a "clearer picture."
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