Independent Swansea cinema refuses to follow COVID pass law

Cinema & Co on Swansea’s Castle Street is refusing to follow the Welsh Government’s new COVID pass law, claiming it is “nonsensical” and “unnecessary”.  

Cinema manager Anna Redfern goes on to claim that the Welsh Government’s new law mandating that all people must show a COVID pass to enter cinema’s, theatres and concert halls is an “infringement of our human rights”.

In a facebook post Redfern quotes passages from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and publishes her own ‘manifesto’.

The Welsh Government insist that the passes can play a key role in keeping people safe.

Opposition politicians, including the Welsh Liberal Democrat’s Jane Dodds MS say that “the Welsh Government has provided no evidence its COVID pass scheme has reduced transmission of COVID-19 nor has it provided an evidence as to why cinemas, theatres and music halls were unfairly singled out over other indoor spaces.”

Cinema & Co’s move to flout the new law has proved controversial on social media. A number of commenters on Cinema and Co’s facebook page voiced their displeasure at the move and concern for rising infection rates.

The move was welcomed in other quarters however, particularly by those who express anti-vaccination sentiments.

The Welsh Government said: “The use of NHS COVIS pass for cinemas, theatres and concert halls is required by law in Wales – it is not optional for these venues.

“Cases of coronavirus in Wales remain very high. The NHS COVID pass is another way we’re strengthening the measures we have in place to keep us all safe.”

(Lead image: Cinema & Co)