Covid passes England: MPs approve measures despite biggest rebellion of Johnson era
MPs have voted to approve Covid passes to enter nightclubs, sports matches and other big events – despite the PM suffering a massive Commons rebellion as nearly 100 Tory MPs voted against the government’s plans.
The new rules start today and require proof of double-vaccination or a recent negative test to enter certain venues.
MPs approved the Covid measure in a vote on Tuesday.
But the PM had to rely on Labour for support as 99 Tory MPs rebelled but thanks to Labour the plans were still able to pass.
The changes come as Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said growth of the Omicron variant over the coming days would be “staggering”, with infections currently doubling in less than two days in most UK regions.
She told a committee of MPs the new variant was “probably the most significant threat we’ve had since the start of the pandemic”.
Mandatory mask-wearing in most indoor settings and compulsory jabs for NHS workers in England were also backed in the Commons – facing a much smaller Tory rebellion.
The scrapping of self-isolation for fully vaccinated Covid contacts – in favour of daily lateral flow tests – passed unanimously without a vote.
The rebellion on Covid passes was by far the biggest since Boris Johnson took office.
Boris Johnson will face MPs for Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, with some in his party raising questions about his authority.
The Guardian – ‘PM suffers huge Tory rebellion over Covid passes’
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