Coronavirus latest news – ‘No social distancing at vaccine passport pubs but tough rules for pubs not demanding them’

BRITAIN could have a ‘two pub’ system for vaccinated and non-vaccinated punters, it’s claimed.

Politico has said ministers are looking at proposals to allow pubs to use COVID test status checks and vaccine passports to allow then to scrap social distancing rules entirely.

Pub that don’t want to use COVID status checks could, from May 17, provide table service under social distancing guidelines and the rule of six, Politico reports.

The UK would could therefore end up with pubs that have no social distancing (with testing or a vaccine passport) or social distancing without a Covid check.

It comes amind claims pubs will be allowed to ban drinkers who have not had a Covid vaccination and can legally refuse drinks to anybody who cannot provide proof of a jab or a recent negative test.

Boris Johnson told MPs yesterday it “may be up to the landlord” — adding: “The concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us.”

But last night Tory MPs slammed the idea of showing “papers for the pub.”

Politicians say it will be discriminatory and create a two tier system.

And pub bosses are worried it will hamper their recovery after months shut up due to the virus.

Trade body UKHospitality criticised the prospect of pubs and restaurants being subject to vaccine certificates as “simply unworkable” and said it could cause conflict between staff and customers.

The boss of the Shepherd Neame chain said on Thursday that making jabs mandatory for entry to pubs is a “fairly poorly thought out idea”.

Government sources told The Sun that allowing pubs, bars and restaurants to set their own rules was within the scope of a review being led by Michael Gove and due to report back next month.

The PM faces a backlash over allowing landlords to demand vaccine passports ahead of a crunch vote this afternoon over extending Covid laws for several more months.

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