How the Covid passport and testing system will work at venues

In a press conference on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister said measures were a "proportionate and responsible" reaction to slow the spread of the Omicron variant amid rising case numbers.

Under the new measures, people in England will be required to prove that they have received both Covid vaccinations, or a negative coronavirus lateral flow test, in order to access some venues.

This will become mandatory from Wednesday for entry into clubs and other large indoor events with 500 or more people.

Unseated outdoor events with more than 4,000, and any event with a crowd of more than 10,000, will also introduce a Covid passport and testing system.

Proof of Covid vaccination status, or a negative lateral flow test, will be required upon entry into venues included in the new ruling.

People will be able to access their NHS Covid Pass via the NHS app which can be downloaded free of charge onto any smartphone or tablet.

Once downloaded, the NHS app will ask for a series of details in order to maintain security and access an individual's vaccination status.

Domestic and travel Covid passes can then be accessed in the app by clicking NHS COVID Pass and following the instructions on the app.

Having considered the evidence since the emergence of Omicron, the government has ruled that proof of a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted.