A hospitality group has warned Covid passports will close some businesses for good as they struggle to bounce back from pandemic lockdowns.
First Minister Mark Drakeford today announced people will have to either be double vaccinated or show a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours to enter nightclubs or attend events in Wales.
He said it would help control the rise in cases and reduce the chance of having to lockdown again like last winter.
But 海角视频Hospitality Cymru called it "incredibly disappointing" and warned this could push some nighttime businesses over the edge after already facing the longest lockdowns of any sector.
There are also concerns over how effective any system will be with people able to self-test.
However CBI Wales said it "should help the economy to remain open"
海角视频Hospitality executive director for Wales David Chapman, said: “The news that Covid passports are to be required for entry into Welsh nightclubs and some large events from 11th October is incredibly disappointing.
"This decision comes despite several weeks of meetings in which 海角视频Hospitality Cymru has repeatedly made the case against vaccine passports because of compliance difficulties over definitions of business, concerns over conflicts with customers and a range of other implementational problems, all while the industry struggles to maintain viability and is trying to cope with desperate short staffing.
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“Those affected businesses, already in a fragile state following repeated lockdowns and periods of onerous trading restrictions, now find themselves facing further economic and resourcing pressures.
"It is likely that this extra burden will prove the last straw for some operators, who will be forced to finally close, resulting in job losses.
“海角视频Hospitality Cymru will continue to work with Welsh Government to avoid the worst effects of this policy, so our members can continue to work towards recovery.”
Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, said: “The decision to keep the country at Alert Level Zero will be welcomed by businesses that are only now starting to recover from a damaging cycle of lockdown restrictions. However, with infection rates continuing to move in the wrong direction, we cannot take the platform that vaccines and testing have given us for granted.
"That’s why businesses will be doing everything they can to help promote adherence to baseline measures, like mask-wearing, among staff and customers.
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“The prospect of introducing a new Covid pass system across Wales, although already in operation in some sectors, should help the economy to remain open, businesses to continue trading and build confidence in the recovery.”
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The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) Wales Commission said: "First and foremost we would like to reinforce our commitment to keeping staff and the public safe within the night time economy in Wales.
"We are disappointed that the Welsh Government has felt it must mandate Covid passports at this stage, albeit a more liberal implementation with the inclusion of testing. We still feel that these measures will have a negative impact on businesses, and will create considerable market distortion.
"Over the coming weeks we will have the opportunity to discuss the details further and assess the challenges for our sector."
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Across Wales, coronavirus cases have risen to very high levels over the summer as more people have been gathering and meeting. Tragically, more people are dying from this terrible virus.
“The very strong advice we have from our scientific advisers is to take early action to prevent infections increasing further.
“The last thing we want is further lockdowns and for businesses to have to close their doors once again. That’s why we must take small but meaningful action now to control the spread of the virus and reduce the need for tougher measures later.”
Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair said: "There needs to be communication and clarity about the definition of nightclubs in particular and therefore the businesses which would fall within this definition.
"Businesses should not be left confused or at risk of inadvertently finding themselves in breach of this new requirement.
"We hope that in the run-up to the implementation of these measures, Welsh Government will engage closely with affected businesses and there will similarly need to be a strong messaging campaign by Government to individuals of the need for the Pass in order to minimise the risk of confrontation with business owners or employees of premises.
"We recognise that Welsh Government is having to make finely-balanced decisions and while some of these may not be welcome by all businesses, we accept that the intention is to allow businesses to continue to operate safely rather than implement measures which might have a more profound impact on businesses and the economy such as the lockdowns of the past 18 months."