London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Nightclubs warn Covid passports will have 'devastating' impact

Nightclubs warn Covid passports will have 'devastating' impact

New rules requiring people to have Covid passports to enter nightclubs in England will have a "devastating impact", the industry has said.

The Night Time Industries Association said it came at the worst possible time, with the pre-Christmas period "absolutely crucial" for the sector.

The rules affect indoor venues holding more than 500 people and outdoor venues with a capacity of more than 4,000.

People will need an NHS Covid pass or negative lateral flow test to enter.

The new rules for nightclubs will come into force on Wednesday 15 December.

Covid passes, which have been implemented in Scotland and Wales, have caused a 30% and 26% drop-off in trade respectively, NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said.

"Vaccine passports will have a devastating impact on a sector already so bruised by the pandemic," Mr Kill said.

"The mixed public health messages this week that have been coming out of the government have arrived at the worst possible time - the pre-Christmas period is absolutely crucial for our sector. And now it is announced damaging vaccine passports are to be implemented.

"Far from 'saving' Christmas, the prime minister has given our sector the horrible present of more pain for businesses desperately trying to recoup losses from earlier in the pandemic."

A government report in June found that vaccine passports could have effects including discouraging people from attending venues. It concluded that, at the time, the impact of bringing them in would be out of proportion to the public health benefits.

Given that, Mr Kill questioned the timing and rationale of the government move. "Is this sound evidence-based public policy making, or is this an attempt to move the news agenda on from a damaging story about the Downing Street Christmas party?"

Nightclub operator Rekom, which has more than 40 venues across the UK, said it was "disappointed, but sadly not surprised" by the government move.

Peter Marks, chairman of its UK board, said there was "no evidence anywhere in the world" that nightclubs had caused an increase in Covid cases.

"It is not only unjust to single out the late-night sector, but it will have no impact on transmission rates," he added.

'Makes no sense'


Jeremy Joseph, who owns the London nightclubs G-A-Y and Heaven, said the clubs had been "really busy" when they first reopened after previous restrictions, but "it has dropped in the last couple of weeks since the variant has come out, and you can see there has been more of a nervousness to go out".

He said his clubs had a chance to recover after previous restrictions were lifted, but any money they made was put aside.

"The whole way through this we've been walking on eggshells because we never know what is going to happen," Mr Joseph said. "I feel like I'm constantly in survival mode."

He said the new restrictions "don't make any sense".

"I've got three venues, and each is going to have different rules," he said. "It makes no sense. It's as if this government thinks that Covid will go: 'That venue has a capacity of under 500, so I won't go in there'."

"If I go to G-A-Y bar on Old Compton Street [in London] our capacity is 450 - there are no restrictions, so it's just: Carry on as normal."

Mr Joseph said he wasn't against vaccine passports, and that he was glad people could show lateral flow test results "so at least that doesn't alienate people, but you can't have one rule for one type of venue, and a different rule for another".

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×