BORIS Johnson will make a huge announcement on vaccine passports for pubs and holidays next month.
The Prime Minister gave a massive hint today the certificates would be needed for international travel.
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Boozers may also have to show proof of a jab or a recent negative test to get a pint under plans dubbed “papers for the pub”.
Boris is now hoping to iron out the plans ready for an announcement on either April 5 or April 12.
The PM said “no decisions have been taken” yet on what might happen with vaccine passports.
He suggested people may need to show a negative test, proof they have had the virus, or a vaccine stamp – but refused to be drawn on what it would be for except for foreign holidays.
But when asked again if people might need a vaccine passport for the pub, he said: “All sorts of things are being considered, it’s premature to start talking about that.”
Although international travel is currently not allowed, some holiday companies and countries have already began discussing plans for visitors.
More than 28million Brits have now received a Covid vaccine – boosting hopes the UK will return to normal by June when lockdown lifts.
But with pubs re-opening from April 12, Boris threw a spanner in the works when he suggested it “may be up to the landlord” whether punters will need to show proof they have had the jab.
He added: “The concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us.”
But MPs and pub bosses hit back – saying it could hamper the recovery and would discriminate against people who may not be able to have the jab.
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Ministers are considering allowing bars and big events to abandon tough rules if they operate coronavirus ‘status checks’ though.
Struggling pubs have already spent millions on implementing social distancing measures – including arrows and space markers on floors and ensuring tables were set out with a two-metre distance between groups.
Greg Mulholland, chairman of the British Pub Confederation, said: “For the Government to abdicate responsibility and ask pubs to make a moral judgment — it’s just not acceptable.
“On top of having to take on extra staff to serve people at tables, the idea pubs can take on staff to act as door staff for vaccine passports is absurd.”
It comes ahead of a crunch vote over extending Covid laws.
MPs will today be asked to rubber stamp the regulations for the route out of lockdown – which will end in June when it’s hoped all restrictions can be lifted.
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Those will be reviewed every 35 days as part of the PM’s plans – and could be altered later down the line if things go well, or take a turn for the worse.
And MPs will also extend the emergency powers in the Coronavirus Act – which will stay in place until September.
The votes are set to pass because Labour will back them, but the PM faces a dozen furious rebels who are set to defy him.
Boris Johnson suggests vaccine certificates might not come into play until AFTER all people get a vaccine
