U.K. COVID PASSPORTS ARE TICKET TO RECOVERY

British trade body UK Music and Festival Republic owner Melvin Benn have signed a letter to the U.K. government backing the use of COVID certificates to help bring back the live industry. Signatories also include many in the theater world.

The letter supports the use of COVID-status certification confirming that those attending events have been vaccinated or have a negative COVID or antibody test, continuing, “We are clear that this approach must not rely only on proof of vaccination and that it must be a temporary measure, only used for as long as necessary."

The communication adds that the approach “must not be discriminatory, should protect privacy and have clear exit criteria,” concluding: “If all this holds true, then we are very much supportive of the continued exploration of this possibility to bring life back to normal as soon as possible.”

Other signees include Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Simon Rattle, conductor and Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra.

The use of COVID passports or certificates has stirred some controversy in the U.K., with critics saying the idea could be discriminatory.