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Covid passes leave Welsh venues ‘caught in the crossfire’ of varied public opinion
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Covid passes leave Welsh venues ‘caught in the crossfire’ of varied public opinion

Hannah Watkin·
No logo
·21 November 2021

Some individuals have criticised venues for adhering to the recently extended law, but other visitors are full of praise for the scheme

A Covid pass displayed on a mobile phone
Visitors to cinemas, theatres and concert halls have to show a valid Covid pass to enter after the law was changed on 15 November, 2021. Photo Credit: Hannah Watkin

Venues added to the Welsh government’s Covid pass scheme are “caught in the crossfire” of opposing public views about the pandemic, according to one Cardiff venue owner.

Cinemas, theatres and concert halls were added to the scheme on Monday 15 November after the Senedd voted to amend the law. Previously, only nightclubs and large indoor and outdoor events were required to make visitors show passes.

Andy Eagle, chief executive officer at Chapter Arts Centre, said the venue has received angry feedback from some members of the public after it announced visitors would have to show a valid NHS Covid pass or proof of a negative lateral flow test to gain entry.

“People ask ‘Why Chapter is doing this?’,” Andy said, “but we haven’t got a choice – it’s the law.”

He continued: “We’re being caught in the crossfire of what policy and people’s reactions to the pandemic are.”

Wales’ Covid pass timeline

  • 17 September: First Minister Mark Drakeford announces plans to introduce Covid passes in Wales
  • 6 October: The Senedd votes to allow Covid passes with 28 votes for and 27 against
  • 11 October: Covid passes are required to enter nightclubs and large indoor and outdoor events in Wales
  • 28 October: First Minister Mark Drakeford announces plans to extend the Covid pass scheme in Wales to smaller venues
  • 9 November: The Senedd votes to allow the extension of the scheme with 39 votes for and 15 against
  • 15 November: The Covid pass scheme is extended to include cinemas, theatres and concert halls in Wales

The Welsh government justified the extension by saying it was a means to keep businesses open and people safe while Wales remains at alert level zero but coronavirus cases remain high.

Ben Rive, manager of Snowcat Cinema in Penarth, said Snowcat received similar angry responses (examples below) to Chapter when he announced in an email that they would be following the scheme. 

Negative Reviews received by Ben after he announced the cinema would require Covid passes
Screenshots of negative reviews posted on Snowcat’s Google page following the announcement that the law would make Covid passes an entry requirement. The reviews were later removed by Google for criticising the cinema’s adherence to a law. Photo Credit: Hannah Watkin

“It wasn’t the nicest thing to receive,” Ben said about one response which wished his business would fail as a result of following the scheme.

However, he explained that in-person responses have been positive, with some customers claiming the scheme is what has led them to feel safe enough to return to his audience.

This contrast between those who claim the passes will increase the likelihood of them visiting venues, and those who claim the passes will lead them to boycott venues, is adding to venue owners’ uncertainty as to what effect, if any, the passes will have on business.

Tags
Chapter Arts Centrecinemascovidcovid passescovid-19nhs covid passsnowcat cinematheatre
Hannah Watkin
Hannah Watkin is a trainee journalist at Cardiff University with a particular interest in entertainment, culture and LGBTQ+ issues.
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