EXTENDING the Covid Pass system to the workplace and hospitals in Wales cannot be ruled out, says the Welsh Governmet's health minister.
Eluned Morgan MS was speaking at a Welsh Government briefing about the country’s vaccination programme when she responded to questions from journalists.
As of Monday, people must show an NHS Covid Pass or demonstrate their vaccination status to enter nightclubs and attend large events in Wales.
The new scheme means all over-18s need a pass to enter nightclubs, indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people such as concerts or conventions, outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people, and any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance.
At Tuesday's briefing, Ms Morgan was asked if the system could be extended to the workplace or even schools.
She said: "At the moment, we're focused on making sure the system works as well as it can, in relation to discos - or nightclubs.
"But, the First Minister has suggested that there may be a point at which we would be asking for covid passes to be introduced at care homes and maybe hospitals.
"We're not at that point yet, but it is something that we will keep under review."
But what about schools?
Ms Morgan was asked if covid passes could, in future, be introduced into schools.
In response, she said: "I wouldn't foresee a situation where we would extend covid passes into schools, no.
"We've made it absolutely clear that getting a vaccine in school is a voluntary system.
"Of course, people are able to have a lateral flow test, and children should be testing themselves twice a week as it is.
"I'd be very reluctant to see that extended into schools. We've made it absolutely clear that a nightclub is something that you don't have to go to, a school is something that you really should."
The Delta variant
Also in the briefing, Ms Morgan said Wales has passed the peak of the Delta wave.
She said: "We've continued to see falls in the rates of coronavirus across Wales, which is really positive, and suggests we've passed the peak of the Delta wave."
"But causes remain very high across Wales," she added.
"We're facing, potentially, a very tough winter ahead of us."
"It's clear the pandemic won't be over by Christmas."
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