Nearly three-quarters of GB News viewers believe the government is overstepping the mark with plans to introduce mandatory vaccine passports in nightclubs and other large events.
Less than 24 hours after the reopening of nightclubs in England, Boris Johnson announced a "no jab, no entry" policy for clubs and other large venues.
The prime minister has faced huge backlash since the announcement, with club owners and MPs calling on the government to U-turn.
A poll conducted on the GB News Twitter page, where 15,174 people voted, found that 72.2% of people opposed mandatory vaccines in clubs, with just 27.8% of voters supporting the government's plans.
Kelly Dell wrote: "Yes of course it’s a step too far, it’s an ID passport via the back door."
Many others agreed, branding the move "disgraceful" and "shameful".
However some believed the measure doesn't go far enough, urging the government to roll out vaccine passports for travel and entry to pubs.
Clubs, backbench Tories and opposition MPs criticised the Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday – the day that clubs in England were allowed to open for the first time since March last year.
He was also told to clarify the relaxation of isolation rules for some fully-vaccinated critical workers who are close contacts of Covid-19 cases after a Government statement said it would not be a “blanket exemption for any sector or role”.
Speaking from self-isolation on so-called “freedom day”, Mr Johnson warned venues with large crowds that they must make full vaccination a requirement of entry from the end of September.
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the Downing Street press conference clubs had the potential to cause “super spreading events”.
Mr Johnson declined to rule out extending vaccination passports to pubs as he attended the briefing virtually from his country residence of Chequers. Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill accused the Government of “an absolute shambles”.
“So, ‘freedom day’ for nightclubs lasted around 17 hours then,” he said. “80% of nightclubs have said they do not want to implement Covid passports, worrying about difficulties with enforcing the system and a reduction in spontaneous consumers, as well as being put at a competitive disadvantage with pubs and bars that aren’t subject to the same restrictions and yet provide similar environments.”
