There are plans to trial a “health passports” app in an initiative to help speed up a return to clubs opening again.

It seems that the future of the UK’s nightlife is hanging in the balance, and it’s a similar story in most other parts of the world while clubs and event spaces remain closed during the COVID pandemic.

In an attempt to speed up the process of being able to run events again, there is a new system of digital “health passports” that will begin being trailed next month.

The health passport is an app that’s been repurposed. The app, You Check, was originally designed as a ticket system to combat touts, but has now been adapted to link with the test, track and trace software.

It’s been approved by the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport. Providing app user receives a negative coronavirus test, the digital passports could allow them gig access for up to 48 hours following a negative result.

The trials are planned to take place in March, at London’s 100 Club and The Exchange in Bristol. The venues will be running at 25% of total capacity to accommodate social distancing, are app users are required to take two COVID tests. If the trials are successful then You Check hope the app will become sanctioned for nationwide use.

Fred Krefting, founder and COO of You Check, told Event Industry News. “It’s important to work alongside government when running these pilots and we’re grateful to the DCMS for giving us the go-ahead.”

With news of a recent study showing that 80% of UK clubs could face bankruptcy by March this year, initiatives like this can’t come soon enough, and here at Flow Music we will continue to follow this story once more announcements have been made following the trial.

H/T: Event Industry News