U K GOVERNMENT SEEK TO RESTRICT NON VACCINATED POPULATIONS

University students will have to be fully vaccinated to attend lectures or stay in halls of residence under plans being pushed by Boris Johnson. At a meeting last week, the prime minister suggested that students in higher and further education settings should face compulsory vaccination, subject to certain medical exemptions.

However, The Times has been told that the Department for Education has reservations about the legality and practicability of such plans. The move comes amid mounting concern that fewer than 60% of 18 to 25s have had their first vaccination. The prime minister is said to be “raging” about the relatively low vaccine uptake among young people and is determined to apply pressure.

Some Conservative MPs, who have opposed vaccine passports from the outset, expressed outrage at the suggestion. But the move is being driven by concern at the number of under 30s requiring serious medical care after falling ill with Covid-19. The government is also in discussion with the Premier League about barring fans from attending matches from October unless they have had both. This is also expected to extend to the autumn rugby internationals, major concerts and spectator events with more than 20,000 people.

The Premier League is keen for fans to be double-jabbed where possible and is likely to have certification for some clubs from the start of the season on August 13. While large venues are also given the option of accepting a recent negative test, there are concerns in government that test results are too easy to fake, prompting the new focus on double vaccination.

Ministers still plan to make proof of double jabs compulsory for nightclubs and other “crowded venues” – though not pubs – from the end of September.