Harrogate nightclub owner frustrated at PM's winter plan
Paul Kinsey, who owns Viper Rooms, said the industry won't survive any more "knee-jerk reactions"
Last updated 15th Sep 2021
The owner of a nightclub in Harrogate has warned another lockdown could kill the night time economy after the Prime Minister didn't deny the possibility of any further restrictions.
Boris Johnson set out his winter plan yesterday afternoon which could see mask wearing being made compulsory again and covid passports to get into venues.
But Paul Kinsey, owner of Viper Rooms in Harrogate, said more restrictions would "crucify" the industry.
He said: "We've had to take on a million pounds worth of debt and it all has to be paid back. If we were to go into another lockdown it would be putting us back to square one.
"We'd have to go through the whole thing of relaunching businesses again after a closure which could crucify the industry.
"We can't live one week at a time. We were given ten days notice of reopening and it was an absolute nightmare."
Boris Johnson has stressed that he could not “rule out completely” the possibility of imposing mandatory vaccine passports, despite Sajid Javid previously saying they wouldn't do things "for the sake of it".
Mr Kinsey, added: "Only on Friday they were reassuring us that having the passport was the right thing to do and then they changed their minds again on Sunday. It's like they're using it as a fall-back plan, sometime maybe never.
"You can't expect people to wear masks in a club either. The reason we stayed shut for so long was because when you go to a nightclub part of the experience is socialising and dancing and you can't get away from that."
The Prime Minister gave a press conference from Downing Street about the Covid Winter plan which was announced earlier today by Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
Mr Javid said a surge in Covid-19 cases this winter could see people in England ordered to wear face masks and show passes to prove their vaccination status.
The Health Secretary said the measures are part of a “Plan B” if efforts to control the spread of coronavirus – including a massive booster vaccination programme – are not effective.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the press conference that vaccine passports cannot be ruled out, but they won't be brought in now: “We do not see the need now to proceed, for instance, with mandatory certification.
“It’s just not sensible to rule out completely this kind of option now when we must face the fact that it might still make the difference between keeping business open at full capacity or not.”
Higher levels of daily cases than this time last year
Boris Johnson has warned that higher levels of coronavirus cases mean that “in one way our position today is actually more challenging” than last September.
The Prime Minister told the Downing Street press conference: “I want you to cast your mind back exactly a year and think where we were last September as schools went back and the colder months approached.
“Because in one way our position today is actually more challenging – we have higher levels of daily cases, thousands more, but in many other crucial respects the British people, all of us collectively and individually, are incomparably better-placed to fight the disease.”
He cited high levels of people being vaccinated as bringing greater protection but warned those who are not vaccinated are up to nine times more likely to die, depending on their age, than if they have had both jabs.
Covid-19 as we approach winter
Professor Chris Whitty said: “We’re entering the autumn and winter period at a much higher level in terms of the number of cases, in terms of number of hospitalisations, in terms of number of deaths than we were this time last year.”
He said people do not need a medical degree to know that autumn and winter is a time when respiratory viruses, such as flu and others, are “hugely advantaged”.
He added: “If you’ve not had your vaccination, now is a very good time to do so.”
Covid Vaccines
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.