To ask the Minister of Health where his proposed domestic COVID-19 passport will be required; and how he plans to implement and enforce the use of such passports.

As part of the Executives Autumn/Winter contingency plan, the option to deploy the use of COVID-status certification had been retained if required to provide a targeted and proportionate means to reduce risk while maximizing our ability to keep open certain settings and events where transmission is higher.

At their meeting on 17 November 2021 The Executive agreed to introduce the use of COVID-status Certification from 29 November. The settings in which this will be required are as follows:

indoor events (where some or all of the audience are not normally seated) with 500 or more attendees;

outdoor events (where some or all of the audience are not normally seated) with 4,000 or more attendees;

events where more than 10,000 people will be present, regardless of whether or not they will be seated;

Nightclubs;

Hospitality premises which serve food and/or drink on the premises;

Cinemas, theatres and conference halls.

As with all COVID-19 related regulations engagement has taken place with PSNI and other bodies regarding enforcement action and penalties that will be in place for those who do not comply, however the priority remains that we continue to engage through communication and public messaging to drive compliance levels voluntarily without the need for enforcement. These regulations will be in place to reduce the risk of transmission and keep us and those around safe.