Norfolk MP supports "entirely sensible" Covid passports
Mr Baker says it's right that people should be allowed to show either proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test
North Norfolk MP, Duncan Baker says the Government's proposed Covid passports are "entirely sensible", ahead of the vote on whether to introduce them today.
Mr Baker told us he was prepared to support the Government on this, considering these passports allow people to get into a large scale by showing proof vaccination OR negative flow test.
He said that he and many others had grave concerns about the potential introduction of vaccine passports, because they would discriminate against those who had not been jabbed.
He said the Government has put together a "sensible and proportionate set of precautions", considering the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is more transmissible and the effectiveness of vaccines against it is still unknown.
It's understood that nearly 80 Tory MPs, including Tom Hunt who represents Ipswich, are prepared to vote against covid passports today.
Although the measure is expected to pass thanks to support from Labour MPs.
If approved Covid passports will have to be shown in order to get access to:
-Nightclubs
-In-door unseated venues with more than 500 people
-Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people
-Any venue with more than 10,000 people
Jack Jay, Ringmaster at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth says he doesn't want venues to be drawn into this debate: "It's an extremely divisive topic. The thing that we never want to do as a venue is to become part of a wider discussion or political argument.
"Always our main concern is, can we put on amazing shows and can we make that people can enjoy them in the safest way possible".
Mark Robinson is the regional coordinator at Unite the Union for East England. He says the measure will keep both staff and customers at these venues safe as well as ensure they stay open.
"We understand that it is important to ensure that the hospitality industry is not spreading it (the virus) about. It is also vital to look after people, be it the people who work in these places or the customers we serve."
He explains that Covid passes are a complicated measure and that the right infrastructure should be in place before they are implemented: "There will be areas or pockets of the population where the passes will be difficult to get because the people may not have smartphones or be able to download it themselves."