No jab, no game: Fans could be locked out of sporting events if they refuse to get the vaccine

Major sporting events are being used to tempt more people into getting vaccinated as we move towards a future with vaccine passports.

Australia could be one step closer to implementing the use of vaccine passports at major sporting events and concerts.

An increasing number of countries are shifting towards allowing only vaccinated people to attend events such as concerts and sporting matches and travel overseas.

Speaking to the Today show, the two faces of Australia’s vaccine rollout — former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth and vaccine taskforce commander Lieutenant General John Frewen — indicated Australia could be headed down the same path.

“I think we are almost certainly going to see different levels of freedom associated with people who are vaccinated,” Dr Coatsworth said.

“We don't want to exclude non-vaccinated people from everything that they need to do in society … Certainly at sporting events, I 100 per cent agree that vaccinated people should be allowed into the crowds.”

Dr Nick Coatsworth indicates vaccinated Australians could have a greater level of freedom. Picture Gary Ramage

But General Frewen stressed while no decisions had been made just yet, people should use it as a motivator to get vaccinated.

“We have seen those sorts of measures overseas. I don't think anything has been settled on in that regard just yet,” he told Nine.

“But, of course, down the track, I mean, there is going to be benefits to being vaccinated. I think there will be requirements to be vaccinated in certain conditions.

“So, again, if you are still considering whether to get vaccinated, I urge you to do so.”

Scott Morrison on Friday announced Victoria, the Northern Territory and Tasmania had formed a working group to establish a plan to exempt vaccinated Australians from restrictions.

Mr Morrison on Monday said people who had taken the steps to protect themselves and the community should be rewarded.

“It‘s got nothing to do with politics or freedoms or anything like that. It’s just simple, if you’re vaccinated, then you’re less of a public health risk,” he said.

“And so people who are vaccinated have taken steps to protect themselves and others around them.

“And so in that circumstance, it only stands to reason that where you have taken that step there would be exemptions for you. If you haven‘t, then you’re at risk of catching it and suffering severe disease and worse.”

The stands of the State of Origin could become a no-go zone for the unvaccinated if a plan from Venues NSW goes ahead. Picture: Josh Woning

It comes as Venues NSW chairman Tony Shepherd said the body would seek government approval to require vaccination passports as a requirement to buy tickets for the NRL, AFL or cricket.

“If you choose not to have the jab that is your civil right in a free country but the Delta strain is extremely transmissible and we need to do something to reopen our stadiums,” Mr Shepherd told The Daily Telegraph.

“The venues will have to say you can’t attend. Simple as that. Getting crowds back to sport is important, but we can’t put fans at risk.

“It will be a tremendous incentive for people to get vaccinated.”