THE NHS Covid Pass in Wales is not to penalise businesses but give them “an extra defence”, the first minister has said.

The law was passed in the Senedd last night, meaning the passes will become compulsory in nightclubs and large events from Monday.

The measures were agreed with 28 politicians voting for and 27 voting against.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the purpose of the Covid pass was “not to penalise any business, it’s to give that business an extra defence to allow it to continue to operate”.

Asked about the close vote in the Senedd on having Covid passes, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It was an extraordinary moment, but what was really extraordinary was the fact that opposition parties were not prepared to support this simple measure which will help to keep people safe from coronavirus.”

He added: “The vote is taken on the floor of the Parliament, the way the vote is conducted is not for the Government, that is for the Parliament. It is members’ responsibilities to make sure they are in the chamber or on Zoom and 59 of 60 members managed to do that.”

On nightclubs, he said: “The point of the Covid pass is to allow businesses to stay open.

“If we don’t have this defence and coronavirus numbers rise over the autumn and the winter, then these are the venues which will be the first to be closed. So, the purpose of it is not to penalise any business, it’s to give that business an extra defence to allow it to continue to operate.”

How can you get a Covid pass?

People who are fully vaccinated in Wales can already download the NHS Covid Pass to securely show and share their vaccine status.

It also allows people to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.

What will I need an NHS Covid Pass for in Wales?

The requirement to show an NHS Covid Pass will come into force from October 11.

All over-18s will need to have a NHS Covid Pass to enter:

  • Nightclubs
  • Indoor, non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions
  • Outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people
  • Any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance

People who are fully vaccinated in Wales can already download the NHS COVID Pass to securely show and share their vaccine status. It also allows people to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.