COVID-19 status mandatory for entry into English nightclubs

Did anybody else get an overwhelming sense of déjà vu at around 8pm on Sunday? It seems the revolving door of rules and restrictions continues in England and will do so for some time – despite those enforcing them doing whatever they like – despite the rest of our freedoms or sanity. 

PM Boris Johnson addressed the public in yet another coronavirus update yesterday evening, confirming the proposed ‘Plan B’ would be going ahead – much to the dismay of many Brits. 

In the same week that Johnson has been under repeated fire, along with several key members of his cabinet, for carelessly flouting his strict guidance, he took to the screen to urge Britons to “get boosted now” and protect the NHS.

Johnson also went on to say: “We know from bitter experience how these exponential curves develop. No one should be in any doubt. There is a tidal wave of Omicron coming, and I’m afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give a good level of protection. But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose, a booster dose, we can all bring our level of protection back up.”

“I know there will be some people watching who will be asking whether Omicron is less severe than previous variants, and whether we really need to go out and get that booster. And the answer is yes, we do.”

“Do not make the mistake of thinking Omicron can’t hurt you. It can make you and your loved ones seriously ill. We’ve already seen hospitalisations doubling in a week in South Africa. And we have patients with Omicron in hospital here in the UK right now.”

But what does ‘Plan B’ mean for the nightlife sector in the UK and, more specifically, England?

For many, it’s much of the same. As of Wednesday 15th December 2021, along with wearing a face-covering in indoor public spaces, you will also (subject to a vote in parliament) need to “show a negative lateral flow test to get into nightclubs and some large events, if you’re not double vaccinated.”

So, not quite the rigidity of the enforced vaccine passports many people feared, but still, applying a reasonable level of extra caution. There is still a choice for those not yet vaccinated to the government’s recommended dosage – a concept that also seems to continue to increase at an exponential rate.

Boris closed his address, saying: “If you haven’t yet had the vaccine at all, then please get yourself at least some protection with a jab as quickly as possible.”

“If you’ve already had your booster, encourage your friends and family to do the same. We’re a great country. We have the vaccines to protect our people. So, let’s do it. Let’s get boosted now, get boosted now for yourself, for your friends and your family, get boosted now to protect jobs and livelihoods across this country, get boosted now to protect our NHS, our freedoms and our way of life. Get boosted now. Thank you.”

What are your thoughts on the current state of the pandemic and its grip on the nightlife economy? Let us know in the comments on social media!