A HEREFORD nightclub has urged revellers not to blame staff as they start asking for Covid statuses.

From Wednesday, it is now mandatory for nightclubs and large venues to check to Covid status of visitors over 18.

This means certain venues will ask for proof of double-vaccination, or a recent negative test, to enter.

This applies to indoor events with 500 or more attendees where people are likely to stand or move around, such as music venues, outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees, such as music festivals, and any events with 10,000 or more attendees, whether indoor or outdoor, such as sports stadiums.

The new restrictions come in after a vote by MPs in Parliament last night, with measures being passed with the support of Labour.

But The Venue, in Hereford's Gaol Street, urged revellers to be nice over the new measures.

Taking to social media, The Venue, which said it was bringing a new lease of life to Hereford's music scene, said it would also accept proof of exemption.

"Please don't rock up and give any of the team a hard time, it's not their fault," it added.

RELATED NEWS:

Nearby in Blue School Street, Play Nightclub Hereford also said it would accept proof of exemption.

It will open for the first time under the rules this evening as it hosts a "quids in" night with cut-price entry and drinks.

"As of Wednesday, December 15, following UK Government guidelines, we will be checking all guests' Covid passes or negative tests upon entry," Play said

But it comes a week after the boss of REKOM UK, which owns Play, snubbed the new rules.

He said jobs could be at risk as new measures come into force.

OTHER NEWS:

Chairman Peter Marks said: "We are disappointed, but sadly not surprised by the government's decision to make vaccine passports compulsory for nightclubs and other late-night venues.

"There is no evidence anywhere in the world that nightclubs have caused an increase in Covid cases."

He argued that if the Government saw the need for compulsory vaccine passports, then it should have done so across the board instead of "singling out" the late-night sector.

"It will have no impact on transmission rates," he said.

"There is no difference being in a busy shop, shopping centre, restaurant, pub or bar, which all attract far greater numbers of people week in week out compared to the numbers of people that go clubbing.

"The late-night economy, particularly nightclubs, has received only one-third of the support of the nearest other hospitality industry by type and a tenth of those deemed cultural venues.

"Many operators have already gone bust and, with these latest measures, many thousands of jobs are at risk across the sector."

Recently in England, face coverings have also been made compulsory in most indoor public venues, as well as on public transport, and people have been told to work from home if they can.

Boris Johnson has also ramped up the booster jab campaign with a new target meaning people 18 and over will be able to get their third jabs from this week.