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European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has taken a swipe at the UK’s “transparency” over vaccine supplies, claiming to have “no knowledge so far of UK exports”.
She added “perhaps I am mistaken and waiting for their transparency” and demanded that AstraZeneca “honour the contract” they have with the EU.
Her comments to reporters cast fresh doubt on hopes of a resolution between the UK and the EU, who yesterday issued a joint statement saying they want to create a “win-win situation” and “expand vaccine supply for all”.
Meanwhile, the government is considering converting the NHS app into a “pub passport”, according to The Daily Mail.
Under plans reportedly being reviewed by Michael Gove, pub-goers could receive virtual passes confirming they’ve received the Covid-19 vaccine, had a recent negative test or have antibodies.
The app could also be used to allow people to enter other venues and events without the need for social distancing.
Read more:
‘Pub passports’ could be the future of indoor mingling
“Pub passports” could be the future of indoor social contact.
According to reports in The Times and The Daily Mail, the government is considering issuing short-term passes to people with sufficient virus immunity, allowing them to enter pubs, restaurants and other venues without the need for social distancing.
Plans reportedly being reviewed by Michael Gove include the NHS app being converted into a site for these digital certificates which could be issued for as little as 24 hours and antibody tests being conducted on a person’s blood to determine whether or not they are sufficiently Covid immune.
Digital certificates could be issued to those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine or to those who have recently received a negative Covid test.
The plans, if they are announced to the public, are likely to receive pushback. ‘Vaccine passport’ proposals have repeatedly proven controversial, as scientists and governments the world over debate their practical and ethical problems and implications.
Joanna Taylor26 March 2021 09:10
EU says UK is not being transparent on vaccine exports
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has taken a swipe at the UK’s “transparency” over vaccine exports, just a day after the row seemed to begin to cool off.
Yesterday, the UK and the EU issued a joint statement saying that they hoped to create a “win-win situation” on vaccines.
But today, Ms Von der Leyen said she has “no knowledge so far of UK exports”, adding “perhaps I am mistaken and [am] waiting for their transparency”.
She also called on AstraZeneca to “honour the contract” they have made with the EU at an online summit of its leaders.
Ms Von der Leyen said that AstraZeneca “has to catch up, has to honour the contract it has with the European member states, before it can engage again in exporting vaccines”.
She added: “We have worldwide supply chains that have to be intact and it is of the utmost importance that we get back to an attitude of openness.”
Earlier this month, the EU enacted a policy allowing member states to block vaccine shipments due for export if additional jabs are needed within the bloc.
It came amid a fierce row over vaccines between the UK, who say they did a better job of securing contracts, and the EU, who believe Britain should share their greater resources more with the continent.
Joanna Taylor26 March 2021 08:46
Welcome to The Independent’s Covid-19 blog, bringing you live updates on vaccines, lockdown rules and the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK and around the world.
Joanna Taylor26 March 2021 08:29
