WA to introduce vaccine passports this year for flights, concerts, sporting events

One Aussie state has made a big move on vaccine passports, confirming it will introduce strict new rules that could have a major impact.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan will introduce strict new rules before the end of the year that mean those not vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be able to attend concerts, eat in restaurants and watch live sport from the stands.

The measures could extend to flights — both domestic and international, the Premier said Monday.

“It will be either late this year or sometime earlier next year,” Mr McGowan said.

“I can’t put a precise date on it, where we will have those measures in place.”

He said all West Australians will have the “opportunity to get vaccinated” before the measures are introduced.

It follows scathing comments from the Premier towards Prime Minister Scott Morrison who he accused of abandoning the national plan of opening up at 80 per cent vaccination coverage to reopen instead when it suits NSW.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s plan is to open up NSW at 70 per cent vaccine coverage.

“I note the Prime Minister endorsed it so I look forward to him being flexible about what we do,” he told reporters.

The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“The Commonwealth Government has put out an ad about how once lockdown finishes everybody will be partying and having barbecues and going on family picnics — we‘re already doing that.

“I don’t think they realise there’s an Australia outside of Sydney and we’re not in lockdown.

“We’re all having a good time and having family barbecues and going to the pub and some of you are going to the club and all that sort of thing.

“We just want to keep that way for as long we can until we’re vaccinated and then we’ll open our borders to NSW and Victoria when it’s safe to do so.”

On the subject of vaccine passports, NSW is set to introduce a two-week trial starting as early as next month.

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello told 2GB the “two-week pilot” will start when the state “should be hitting the 70 per cent (vaccination) mark”.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said: “A meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner.”

The Sunday Herald Sun revealed Victorians will use an upgraded QR code system and phone app as part of the rollout of vaccine passports across the state.

It will cover pubs, restaurants and major events, including crowds at the footy.

As for international travel, the Morrison Government recently awarded a contract for the technical rollout of vaccine passports to Accenture.

Tourism Minister Dan Tehan explained how it would work last week.

Domestic and international flights could be part of Western Australia’s vaccine passport scheme, rolled out in a few months. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“Where you’re required to prove you’re vaccinated … when you’re travelling overseas to get entry into countries … that QR code will be able to demonstrate you are vaccinated,” he told the ABC.

It comes as the UK ditched its vaccine passports.

After reopening in July – with residents free to enter pubs, clubs and even travel overseas – the UK government has sensationally dumped its plan to rollout vaccine passports across England, despite cases continuing to soar.

Overnight, British health Minister Sajid Javid flagged it as unlikely England would ever return to lockdowns despite rising cases in the country – and that the government will also drop its plan to make people show a vaccine passport for entry to crowded events.

Claiming he “never liked the idea” in the first place, vaccine passports were set to be introduced at the end of this month – a timely launch date given the country’s growing case numbers.

— with Vanessa Brown