Oxford's pub landlords slam 'nonsense' Covid passport idea

Landlords could require customers to provide proof they are vaccinated against coronavirus, according to Boris Johnson.

The Prime Minister told the Commons Liaison Committee last week it may be left up to ‘individual publicans’ to decide whether they ask drinkers for vaccine passports to enter venues.

The White Rabbit has lots of outdoor space for drinkers Picture: Ed Nix

Ministers are reviewing the possibility of introducing a document via an app which proves that a person has either been vaccinated against the virus or tested negative as part of the drive to return to normality.

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Those without the app would be able to request a paper certificate.

Ed Whinney, who runs The White Rabbit in the city centre, renowned for its pizzas, is opposed to the idea.

He said: “Pubs know what they have to do to keep their staff and customers safe with safe social distancing and temperature tests.

“It’s typical of this Government to release a concept and then see what the reaction is before deciding to introduce something, but I really don’t think this will work.

Ed Whinney who runs The White Rabbit pub in Friar's Entry is looking forward to reopening Picture: Ed Nix

“The majority of people working in hospitality will be young people who are the last to get their vaccines so it would not be right to refuse entry to customers when staff have not been vaccinated."

He added: “I’m not sure there is any real intention to do this - it could be nonsense - another Boris bombshell.

“We are here to provide a friendly safe space for people - we’re not here to check their vaccine status.”

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Mr Whinney said The White Rabbit has a lot of outdoor space and staff are looking forward to reopening from April 12 when pubs and restaurants are allowed to reopen outdoors. Non-essential shops will also be allowed to reopen that day.

Mr Whinney added: “We know what we are doing - this is an unnecessary distraction.”

When Mr Johnson raised the issue of ‘Covid certificates’ he said it would probably be up to pub landlords if they demanded them but his spokesman later refused to rule out the possibility they could be mandatory.

Dave Richardson of Oxford CAMRA outside The Lamb & Flag in St Giles

Pubs across Oxfordshire have faced a difficult 12 months and lost trade as a result of three lockdowns.

St John’s College closed the historic Lamb & Flag pub in St Giles in January due to a lack of takings.

The Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA has said it will oppose any change-of-use planning application for the building.

There are also doubts over the future of the city’s oldest pub, The Mitre in High Street.

It is owned by Lincoln College and leased to Marstons’ and the brewery has said its future is under review.

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Dave Richardson, a spokesman for the city’s CAMRA branch, said: "Once again it seems the Government is playing politics with the pubs industry, floating an idea to see the response long before all adults are expected to have been offered a jab.

"Many voices in the industry are raised against Covid passports for pubs as it’s yet another thing that staff are expected to do, but there may be some pub groups or individual landlords in favour if having Covid passports means they can trade without social distancing restrictions.

“Some pubs popular with young people could go for the idea, but equally the prospect of going to a pub full of people not socially distanced would put off many would-be visitors.

“The only real answer to this is to let pubs trade without any restrictions as soon as possible, hopefully by late June as the Government has indicated.”

Chris Meeson at The Masons Arms in Headington

Chris Meeson, who runs The Masons Arms in Headington, said: “I haven’t taken too much notice of this because I can’t see it happening - it’s a no go.

“When we open in April 90 per cent of the country’s hospitality staff will not have been vaccinated.

“Perhaps this a ploy to get more people to have the vaccination.

“We have a big garden here and after being shut for months we can’t wait to get going again.”

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Trade body UKHospitality has 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.

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