The owner of Harrogate’s only nightclub The Viper Rooms has called the use of vaccine passports in nightclubs “impractical” ahead of reopening next Monday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference yesterday that the government was now urging nightclubs to ask revellers to show the NHS covid pass app on entry, which shows proof of a vaccination or a recent negative test. However, it will be voluntary.
Mr Kinsey told the Stray Ferret it was a “contradiction and hypocrisy” to add further requirements to nightclubs, especially after the scenes of football fans embracing each other at bars and pubs throughout the Euro 2020 tournament.
He said the Viper Rooms, on Parliament Street, will be following whatever guidance is suggested by the government but that many customers “can’t see the logic” of restrictions at nightclubs, particularly as some will have come from bars where all restrictions will have been lifted.
He said:
“We can’t enforce a law that doesn’t exist. It will be up to people to use their own judgement when visiting the club.
“The majority of 18-year-olds won’t have been double jabbed. Vaccine passports are impractical.”
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“Hospital cases may be rising but it’s overwhelmingly people who haven’t been double vaccinated, are older or who have refused vaccines.
“This virus will be present in society. All we can do is manage the game that’s in front of us.”
The Viper Rooms will reopen on Monday with a ‘Covid-19 leaving drinks’ party from 10pm.
It’s offering free entry and free table reservations to all restaurant, hotel and bar workers in Harrogate.
