The prime minister has confirmed that face coverings and Covid-status certification for large events in England will be encouraged - but not legally required - from July 19.
And the Government will consider making vaccine passports the law for certain events if organisers and venues don't introduce them voluntarily, according to a new policy document.
The apparent threat to event organisers to have Covid-status certification imposed upon them comes in a Step 4 policy document that details how the government will be encouraging and supporting businesses and large events to use the NHS COVID Pass in high risk settings to help to limit the risk of infection.
The document says: "The Government will work with organisations that operate large, crowded settings where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage the use of the NHS COVID Pass. If sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the Government will consider mandating the NHS COVID Pass in certain venues at a later date."
The revelation comes after the prime minister confirmed that the great majority of legal restrictions in England will be lifted next week, including social distancing and capacity caps for events.
The prime minister said that he expected people to wear a mask in crowded places, and urged events with large crowds to use Covid-status certification as a means of entry.
“We will stick to our plan to lift legal restrictions and to lift social distancing, but we expect and recommend that people wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with those you don’t normally meet, such as on public transport,” he said.
“As a matter of social responsibility we are urging night clubs and other venues with large crowds to make use of the NHS app, which shows proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity as a means of entry.”
The use of QR codes and track-and-trace sign-in at events and venues will also be made optional rather than compulsory.
The changes mean that the power to decide whether to make face coverings and Covid-status certification compulsory at events now lies with the event organiser and the venue.
While Johnson urged venues with large crowds to make use of Covid-status certification, he did not give any indication of what constitutes a large crowd.
Speaking earlier in the House of Commons, health secretary Sajid Javid said that businesses and venues will be expected to have a system in place that enables Covid-status certification to be checked, and that the government is talking to industry leaders to create guidelines for event professionals.
In the rest of the UK, Scotland and Wales are yet to announce when restrictions will be lifted. In Northern Ireland conference and exhibition centres will be allowed to reopen from 26 July with mask-wearing and 1m social distancing still in place.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
