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LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - Britain is reviewing the idea
of vaccine certificates to allow access to travel, hospitality
and entertainment and discussing the best way to proceed in
terms of fairness, said business minister Kwarsi Kwarteng.
P&O Cruises said on Tuesday that it would only accept as
passengers those who have had both doses of the vaccine for its
trips around the UK this summer, sparking a fresh debate on the
issue.
When asked about the fairness of companies requiring proof
of vaccination to grant entry and what the government's stance
was on the matter, Kwarteng said it was under review.
"We are discussing what the best way to proceed is,"
Kwarteng told the BBC.
More than half of Britain's adult population will have
received the first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the
week.
Kwarteng said there were two separate issues, that of
vaccine certification or so-called vaccine passports for access
to theatres, restaurants and venues within Britain, and that of
vaccine certification to allow travel abroad.
Airlines and holiday companies across Europe are desperate
for travel to resume this summer after a year of COVID-19
restrictions has left them struggling to survive.
The European Union has a plan to launch a COVID-19 pass or
"green digital certificate" to allow free travel within the bloc
this summer.
But the UK is not in the bloc and could need agreements with
European countries for Britons to travel which could include
requirements for vaccine certificates.
"With international travel, you're dealing with other
countries and they will have their own input into what policies
you have," Kwarteng told ITV.
Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Turkey have all said they will
welcome UK arrivals who have either had the vaccine or have had
a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Britain has said holidays will not be allowed until May 17
at the earliest, but rising numbers of COVID-19 infections in
some parts of Europe could derail the country's plans to re-open
some routes.
"I think what we also have to do is be driven by the data,
we've got to see how coronavirus develops," Kwarteng told the
BBC on travel.
Saga stated in January that only fully vaccinated
people would be permitted to board its cruises.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Estelle Shirbon)
