Welsh Government plans to introduce an 'NHS Covid Pass' to enter nightclubs and attend events in Wales have passed through the Senedd in a controversial vote described as a "democratic outrage".
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced last month that people will have to either be double vaccinated or show a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours to get into clubs and events like the autumn rugby internationals at the Principality stadium and Wales's football World Cup qualifiers.
The plan was for the scheme to come into force from Monday.
Labour does not have a Senedd majority - with 30 out of 60 members - and Plaid Cymru, Welsh Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats voted against the legislation.
But Welsh Government secured a majority of one (28-27) and the Covid Pass will be implemented.
Prior to the vote Conservative MS Darren Millar could be heard claiming a member was unable to join by zoom to vote remotely.
It is understood Mr Millar was intervening on behalf of his colleague Gareth Davies, the MS for Vale of Clwyd, but Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones said that all attempts to get him onto the relevant software had taken place "including sharing my personal phone".
Mr Davies was opposed to the legislation.
If it had been a tie, the deciding vote would have gone to the Llywydd who would have had to vote against.
Night Time Industries Association Wales (NTIA) said: "The NTIA has long campaigned against the introduction of Covid Passports due to the operational barriers these measures will cause. We were pleased to see the number of MSs that listened to our concerns today and voted against these proposals.
"It is a democratic outrage that one MS who wanted to vote, and who would’ve voted against the proposals, could not, due to a mere technical error. This shambles will cause even more uncertainty for our businesses.
"There must be an urgent revote so that the will of the Senedd can be fairly expressed and businesses have some clarity about the future.”
Speaking in the debate, Plaid's Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Regrettably, the regulations proposed by Welsh Government today raise more questions than they provide answers. There is insufficient evidence and little detail on how it will work in practice.
"In particular, the rapid test loophole which represents a fudge on the part of the Government, makes the system open to exploitation."
Conservative MS James Evans says he is "whole-heartedly" against any type of passport or pass, saying "Freedoms and democracies are hard won and anything that erodes personal freedom, I cannot support ".
Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: "Our hospitality businesses are already among the most badly hit businesses during the pandemic, with a number being saddled with debt and rent arrears.
"There are now most pressing and legitimate concerns among our businesses that these regulations may directly lead to potential confrontation with security and other venue staff."
Jane Dodds, the only Lib Dem in the Senedd, has said she has supported the cautious approach in Wales but she says she cannot support this motion.
She asked members to vote against the motion saying people needed to concentrate on "what works".
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: "We have to do something to stop the turbo-charging of the virus in these places where lots of people congregate."
She added: "Every day we hesitate those rates go up, and every day those rates go up they put more pressure on our NHS. Not accepting this suggests you're happy to do nothing in the next few weeks.
"Let me be clear not supporting this measure today will be an act of gross irresponsibility when it comes to public health in Wales."
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) Welsh Commission said the passports represented a significant barrier for operations in our industry and called on Senedd members to reject the legislation.
The plan is for the scheme to come into force from Monday, October 11, at:
- Nightclubs
- Indoor, non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions
- Outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people
- Any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance
Want more news like this?Sign up to the Business Live newsletter
