Boris Johnson will not issue vaccine passports during UK's reopening, plans to use later

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that vaccine passports will not be issued during the country's reopening in the next few weeks.

This, however, does leave open the possibility that the UK's Conservative Party will issue vaccine passports when all coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the British government is set to test vaccine passports for mass gatherings in the coming weeks. This would include nightclubs, sports events, and concerts.

British officials have suggested that these passports would be app-based, with paper certificates being provided for those who do not have access to mobile technology.

Speaking in a press conference, Johnson said that his government is "doing everything we can to enable the reopening of our country so people can return to the events, travel and other things they love as safely as possible."

"These reviews will play an important role in allowing this to happen,” added the prime minister.

Vaccine passports have been one of the more controversial policy options considered during the pandemic. The German Ethics Council (who understandably are rather touchy about civil rights) declared earlier this year that these passports were "unacceptable." Despite this, the German government is set to move forward with passport planning.

Similarly, heated debates have occurred in the United States and Israel over whether vaccine passports are discriminatory towards those who have not yet had, or simply can not have, vaccines.

Canada has not yet made a decision regarding vaccine passports, although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that he is "actively exploring" the concept.