Salisbury MP John Glen voted this week for the introduction of mandatory face coverings, Covid passes and NHS care home jabs.

On Tuesday evening (December 14), a vote was held on the Government's 'Plan B' measures to make face masks compulsory in most indoor settings, the introduction of Covid passes in some venues, and mandatory vaccinations for NHS workers.

The Salisbury Conservative MP voted in favour of the three Public Health bills relating to Coronavirus.

The first was “expanding the legal requirement to wear face coverings when in shops, when using public transport and in transport hubs to more indoor settings, including, banks, places of worship, public areas in hotels and hostels, museums, in England, except in limited cases”.

This passed with 442 MPs in favour, 41 not.

The second was on Covid passes, “a series of legal obligations on people and organisations that implements a policy of ensuring that access to settings with large crowds, mixing and close contact where the risk of Covid-19 transmission may be increased is restricted to attendees/visitors who can demonstrate their COVID Status or exemption”.

This was a more divisive issue, with 366 in favour and 123 against.

He also voted to “to provide that the registered person for nursing and personal care in care homes must secure that – subject to certain exceptions— a person does not enter the care home premises unless they provide evidence that they have been vaccinated with a complete course of an authorised vaccine against COVID-19”.

This passed 382 for, 97 against.

In his column in this week's Journal, published today (Thursday December 16), the MP said that the Plan B vote was "one of the most divisive" he had been involved with, and that he did not take his decision "lightly".

He wrote: "Many of those who have written to me opposed to vaccine passports seem unaware how mild our restrictions are in comparison with much of Europe. They apply only to nightclubs with a capacity of more than 500 and other venues of over 10,000.

"I understand many feel strongly that asking people to show their vaccine status may discriminate against the unvaccinated. However, if for some reason you don’t want to show you are double vaccinated, you can take a lateral flow test instead to show you are Covid negative.

"This has already been happening up and down the land in the many venues that have been choosing to ask for certification to reassure staff and customers so that they can stay open and continue operating as they wish.

"I recognise why the topic stirs strong feelings, but it clearly comes as a surprise to many vehement opponents of Plan B to learn that I am also receiving emails from constituents who believe Plan B is a small price to pay, and from others who would like restrictions to go further.

"For my part, I do not see how we can justify going against the advice of our scientists and doing nothing when a wave of infection is undeniably hitting the nation.

"These temporary measures have been called for by both the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser.

"Of course, it will be necessary to continue monitoring the data and to adjust guidance promptly, especially as increased coverage from boosters takes effect.”

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