“Nervous constituents are contacting me about a petition doing the rounds in the West Midlands stating that people will be required to have a Covid-19 ‘Vaccination Passport’ to go to the supermarket, visit shops and leisure centres” says Michael Fabricant.

“This is totally untrue and people are getting alarmed over nothing.

“The Government has stated that Certificates of Vaccination will not be required for use in the United Kingdom for shopping or for any other purposes.  And while I believe it would be foolish to refuse a Covid vaccination if it is offered, there are also no plans to force anyone to be vaccinated.

“However, as a number of countries abroad have stated that in future they may not allow entry for visitors, except for those holding Covid Vaccination Certificates, the UK – along with other countries – is investigating how they might be issued.  This Certificate would be similar to Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates and others which have been issued in the UK for many years for people planning to visit certain countries overseas.  Years ago I remember visiting Vietnam on a trekking holiday and I needed to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and having to have a certificate to prove I had been vaccinated.  That was the law in Vietnam and they wouldn’t allow anyone in unless they had that certificate.

“No-one will be obliged to obtain Covid Vaccination Certificates: however, the proposal is that they might be available on request in future for people in the UK planning a visit abroad to countries which might require them.  If you don’t want to visit that country and be turned away on entry, you won’t need the certificate.  It’s as simple and as common sense as that” Michael adds.