The Welsh government has caused a stir this month as plans for a Covid pass were approved by a vote of 28 to 27, despite one vocally opposed Conservative MS being unable to vote. Rules are now in place that demand this pass as a requirement for attending nightclubs and large sporting events in Wales.
With rising infection rates across the country and Christmas fast approaching, the pass is intended to allow certain businesses to stay open and allow the public to maintain a certain measure of freedom from lockdown, while simultaneously easing some of the pressure on the NHS.
The first minister, Mark Drakeford, claims this is a pre-emptive move that means to take faster action than Boris Johnson’s UK government.
Several members of the Welsh public have however been less than please with this latest scheme. In fact, several hundred disgruntled citizens gathered in Cardiff recently to publicly voice their concerns.
Protesters gathered around the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay, reportedly pushing their signs against the windows, and banging on the glass. Several Welsh politicians even reported being trapped inside their offices, with Conservative MSs Samuel Kurtz, James Evans and Tom Giffard all posting on Twitter to say they were being kept inside.
Despite the protests, plans for the Welsh Covid pass have gone ahead, and it is now a legal requirement to show your pass when attending several public events.
Specifically, you will need a pass to attend:
- Any venue that serves alcohol, plays music, and is open between 00:00 and 05:00
- Indoor events with 500 people or more, without seating
- Outdoor events with 4,000 people or more, without seating
- Any event with 10,000 people or more
The NHS Covid pass is available to anyone over the age of 16 who has received both doses of their vaccination and is able to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test within the last 48 hours. The pass will then be valid for 30 days from the date it is downloaded.