The Welsh Liberal Democrats have described Mark Drakeford’s decision to introduce the use of vaccine passports in Wales as ‘disappointing’ stating it is an example of government overreach that could set a worrying precedent. The party’s leader, Jane Dodds MS, stated that she will vote against the measures if it is brought to a vote in the Senedd.
Commenting on the announcement Jane Dodds MS said: “I understand many people want to get back to a sense of normality, but vaccine passports are not the way to do this and we need to be careful about the precedent they set. They are medical ID cards in all but name and Welsh Liberal Democrats will lead the fight against their introduction.
“The introduction of the cards would mean that for the first time, you will be asked to provide your private medical data to a stranger to enjoy certain freedoms in our society, yet it won’t actually help reduce transmission rates.
“Vaccine passports are an infringement of our civil liberties, and they will disproportionately exclude black and ethnic minority communities who have, to date, been more hesitant than others to get vaccinated.
“Vaccines are certainly our way out of the pandemic, but vaccine passports are not.”
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