Sector blasts government for introducing Plan B covid measures, including vaccine passports for nightclubs: Hospitality operators have blasted Downing Street’s new “Plan B” covid restrictions, saying vaccine passports and work from home advice will prove disastrous for an industry already struggling to survive. Prime minister Boris Johnson today (Wednesday, 8 December) announced new measures in England to combat the spread of the Omicron variant, including vaccine passports for nightclubs and large-scale gatherings, and advice to workers to stay at home if possible. Masks will be compulsory in most public venues, including cinemas and theatres, from Friday (10 December), while people are advised to work from home from Monday (13 December). Vaccine passports will from next Wednesday (15 December) be required for entry to nightclubs and events where large crowds gather – including unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people. A negative lateral flow test will also be acceptable. Two boosters will be sufficient for a vaccine passport, but this will be reviewed as booster jabs are rolled out. The move will strike a further blow to hopes of festive trade helping businesses recover from the effects of the covid lockdowns. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told the BBC: “There’s an economic cost which does hit hospitality businesses disproportionately. Hospitality businesses should be given the proper support to make sure we don’t lose businesses and we don’t lose jobs. We need to have support for the businesses directly affected, because the costs and the revenue hit are so significant that you would raise into question business viability.” Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, added: “Vaccine passports have a damaging impact on night time economy businesses, as we seen in other parts of the UK where they have been implemented. Trade is down 30% in Scotland and 26% in Wales following their implementation. The UK government has twice ruled out vaccine passports before twice changing its mind. The pre-Christmas period is absolutely crucial for our sector, and Plan B will have a devastating impact on a sector already so bruised by the pandemic. The government’s own report on the subject concluded that vaccine passports wouldn’t even have a significant impact on virus transmission. You do, therefore, have to question the timing and rationale for this announcement. Is this sound evidence-based public policy making or is this an attempt to move the news agenda on from a damaging story about the Downing Street Christmas party? Nightclubs and bars must not be thrown under the bus for the prime minister to save his own skin.” British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Make no mistake, this is a huge blow for our sector as it further undermines consumer confidence and is devastating for pubs based near offices and in town centres. The festive period is crucial to the recovery of our sector, so these restrictions could not have come at a more important trading time. They threaten the viability of pubs, which will lose vital revenue over the Christmas period, and so the government will need to look at providing support. We are pleased though that covid passports are not applicable to the vast majority of pubs, as government has recognised this would have been totally unworkable. We still need clarifications and to see the detail on other aspects – including on face masks. It’s important to remember that pubs are a safe environment, with less than 2% of covid outbreaks traced to hospitality venues.” Rekom UK chief executive Peter Marks said: “I just keep repeating what I’ve been saying and that is since we opened on 19 July cases in the 20 to 29-year-old cohort have dropped 80% so why on earth target nightclubs?” London Union founder Jonathan Downey, meanwhile, tweeted: “This is another catastrophic extinction event for so many independent businesses that have been hanging on to make the most of the vital pre-Christmas trading period, when often 25% of sales are generated.” Chris Soley, chief executive of north east-based brewer and pub operator Camerons Brewery, also tweeted: “Right Rishi Sunak – where’s furlough, grants, extended VAT and rates support plus a rent solution? Boris Johnson – you are a hypocrite and an absolute shambles.” Matt Snell, chief executive of Gusto, tweeted: “Never has there been a more desperate attempt to change the news agenda.”