Two thirds of Londoners back Covid passports

Two-thirds of Londoners would carry Covid passports if it meant they could go to the theatre, concerts and big sporting events again, a poll for the Evening Standard reveals today.

Some 67 per cent say they would personally take them up, boosting hopes that Covid certificates are the key to filling the West End, nightclubs and Wembley Stadium this summer.

In a survey of 1,100 people in the capital for the Standard, pollsters Opinium found only 21 per cent would refuse to carry them, meaning support of more than three to one.

Covid certification is expected to involve an app that shows if the carrier has had a recent negative coronavirus test, has natural antibodies, or has been vaccinated.

The idea has ignited controversy, with some 40 Conservative MPs calling the passports “discriminatory” and Sir Keir Starmer branding them “un-British”.

It was reported today that the Equality and Human Rights Commission has told the Cabinet Office that certificates could amount to unlawful indirect discrimination and risk creating a “two-tier society”, the Guardian reported.

But the certificates are expected to be required for much international travel and the Government is considering whether to introduce them on a voluntary basis for people attending crowded events, which are currently not possible.

Cinemas and theatres are due to open no earlier than May 17, but at no more than 50 per cent capacity.

Football stadiums and other big sporting venues can also reopen from the same date. Up to 25 per cent of seats can be used, to maximum capacity of 10,000.

The Opinium research found support was highest in Londoners over 55, with 78 per cent backing Covid passports as a way of reopening venues.

59%

Support was lowest, at 59 per cent, in the 18-34 age group, where 28 per cent were opposed to the idea.

Opinium also found 50 per cent support for the principle of Covid passports, with 24 per cent opposed. It is thought that the passports could involve the adaptation of the NHS app.

Their introduction could be months away but a study into a possible roll-out will include spectators attending the FA Cup final.

James Crouch, senior research manager at Opinium, said: “Londoners are largely in line with the rest of the country when it comes to Covid passports, with a reasonable majority in favour.

“However, given that they are likely to be the last in the queue for a vaccine, it is unsurprising that younger people are the most wary of the idea of having to prove their Covid status to access cultural or sporting events.”

78%

The Opinium poll found Londoners narrowly approved more than they disapproved of the Government’s handling of the pandemic, by 42 per cent to 39 per cent.

There was also support for Mayor Sadiq Khan, with 35 per cent backing his efforts to tackle the pandemic and 30 per cent disapproving.

A majority of Londoners — 51 per cent — believed the Government’s phased releasing of restrictions was appropriate, though 27 per cent felt restrictions were being lifted too quickly and 10 per cent too slowly.

More than six in 10 said it would be wrong for London to come out of lockdown ahead of the rest of the country, even though case rates have fallen sharply in the capital.

Only 24 per cent said the capital should be free of restrictions earlier than elsewhere.

Respondents were split on their hopes of a foreign holiday, with 37 per cent hoping to make it abroad this year and 36 per cent not hopeful.

A requirement to quarantine after a foreign holiday would deter 51 per cent of Londoners from travelling, with only 25 per cent saying they would go.

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