Picture used for illustrative purpose. File

Gulf Today Report 

More than 70 British lawmakers are against the introductions of vaccine passports that the government is considering, hoping it will help the economy as the UK starts lifting restrictions.

The government is considering a vaccine passport, which will serve as access to crowded spaces.

According to a media report, the trials of COVID passports would begin within weeks during pilots at major sports events and possibly a music awards ceremony in the next two months to assess their impact.

On Friday Johnson said that a combination of immunity factors - if people have had the disease, vaccination or had a COVID-19 test - would give businesses confidence.

READ MORE 

Sheriff sacks seven officers in Texas

Fire kills 3 in market near Rohingya camp in Bangladesh

India's daily new infections highest in six months

"So those three things working together will, I think, be useful for us as we go forward," Johnson said.

However, lawmakers and civil rights groups are concerned about the prospect of the vaccine certificates.

"We oppose the divisive and discriminatory use of COVID status certification to deny individuals access to general services, businesses or jobs," said a statement signed by a group of more than 70 lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

A final decision is yet to be made but Johnson has instructed senior minister Michael Gove to review the possible role of certificates.