We have been alerted to a consultation that the Government has put out regarding mandatory COVID certification in a plan B scenario – see below.

Following the publication of the Winter Plan, last week, DHSC has published a short consultation on mandatory covid certification. As you know, the Government’s Autumn and Winter Covid plan contains a Plan A and a Plan B – Plan B being the fall-back position if the number of Covid cases spikes and puts undue pressure on the NHS. In the plan, if this happens, the Government proposes to introduce mandatory certification would be required for the following venues and events:
• all nightclubs, and other venues open after 1am with alcohol, music and dancing
• indoor, crowded settings with 500 or more attendees where those attendees are likely to be in close proximity to people from other households, such as music venues or large receptions
• outdoor, crowded settings with 4,000 or more attendees where those attendees are likely to be in close proximity to people from other households, such as outdoor festivals
• any settings with 10,000 or more attendees, such as large sports and music stadia

We still await clarity on the scope, and responses to our legal questions on employment law, DDA, and GDPR.

The consultation can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposal-for-mandatory-covid-certification-in-a-plan-b-scenario-call-for-evidence - your individual responses would be welcomed, and we will complete one on behalf of all members. The consultation ends on 11th October but it would be appreciated if you could provide your response by the 7th October so we can collate and respond.