LONDON - With Covid pass requirements extended to cinemas, theatres and concert halls, other industries fear they will be next.

From Monday, passes are required to legally enter these venues after being introduced for large-scale events and nightclubs last month. It comes as Covid case rates in Wales fall, but remain relatively high. It is a “concerning” time for hospitality businesses, according to the Welsh Beer and Pub Association.

“It must be avoided,” said chief executive Emma McClarkin. “Case numbers are falling in Wales, so bringing in this measure would be counter-productive and put brewers and pubs in jeopardy even though data shows hospitality not to be a significant source of transmission.”  The Welsh government said no decision on extending passes to hospitality had been made. Anyone aged over 16 in Wales can get an NHS Covid pass if they are fully vaccinated or have had a negative lateral flow test in the previous 48 hours.

The new law passed with 39 members of the Senedd voting for, and 15 against, with the Welsh Conservatives and Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds opposed. Hundreds of protesters gathered on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay last Tuesday, amid concerns the passes unreasonably restrict personal freedoms.

There have been a further 13 deaths and 4,520 positive Covid cases in the 48 hours to 09:00 on Sunday, according to Public Health Wales’ latest figures. The Covid rate stands at 482.1 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days, with the highest case rates in Vale of Glamorgan (637) and Torfaen (594.9).

For smaller theatres, such as Neath Little Theatre, it is not the pass that is the main problem, but a lack of notice for shows next week. “The speed in which they have been introduced took us by surprise,” said Jamie Rees, the theatre’s director.

Many of the cinema’s customers are older and “simply do not have the technology” to get digital passes. Staff have even had to help those customers get paper passes, which can take up to two weeks. “It’s been a very difficult 18 months and this has just added another element of complexity,” said Mr Rees.

“We know some of our audience are nervous to come back and this is just adding to their stress.

“But the show must go on and we will do whatever we can to make people feel safe.”

The trustees of the Market Hall cinema in Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, have similar concerns for their older customers and have offered assistance in getting Covid passes.

“We’ve been open since 1894 so we are not going to let this stop us now and we will work to comply,” said Beth Watkins, chairwoman of the trustees.

“There are some concerns around the generalisation that all cinemas are the same. We are not a 10-screen multiplex, but a one-screen small community cinema run by a charity.

“We rely on volunteers so we do have some concerns if they are put in anxious situations and challenged by customers, but we know the community is behind us.”