COVID pass evidence

18 March 2022                                           

Dear

Complaint in respect of ATISN 15971 – Evidence for closure of nightclubs

I am responding to your email which was received on 17 January 2022 which asked us to review the response issued to your request for information under the Freedom of Information (“FOI”) Act 2000. This letter is to inform you of the outcome.

In your original request dated 17 January, you requested:

1. The evidence for the introduction of the initial Covid Pass system in Wales.
2. The evidence that the Covid Passes were having a significant positive effect upon Covid-19 rates PRIOR to their expansion to cinemas etc.
3. The evidence relating to the continued use of the Covid Passes in Wales.
4. How often this data is reviewed?
5. The data and research the Welsh Government has conducted or taken on board (including the Author's details and research titles), relating to the social, economic and psychological implications of the Covid Pass system

In our response dated 18 February, we explained that the information you were requesting was already in the public domain and we provided links to access this information.  

In your email dated 18 February, you stated that you did not believe that we had provided the evidence that you requested and you highlighted specific information that had not been included in our response.

I have reviewed our response to your FOI request in accordance with the procedure stated in my previous letter to you (dated 21 February). Our interpretation of your request was that you wished to receive the evidence that was shared with Ministers to assist with their decision making regarding the introduction of the Covid Pass.  This information was provided and I therefore do not uphold your complaint.

If you remain dissatisfied with this response you also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner at: 

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545 745
Fax: 01625 524 510
Email: casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Also, if you think that there has been maladministration in dealing with your request, you have the option to make a complaint to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales who can be contacted at:

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales 
1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae 
Pencoed 
Bridgend 
CF35 5LJ 

Telephone: 0845 6010987 (local rate) 
Email: ask@ombudsman-wales.org.uk

Yours sincerely

J Daniels
Director/ Cyfarwyddwr
Test, Trace, Protect/ Profi, Olrhain, Diogelu

14 February 2022

Dear 

ATISN 15971 – Evidence for closure of nightclubs

Thank you for your request to the Welsh Government for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) received on 17 January 2022.  You requested the following:

1. The evidence for the introduction of the initial Covid Pass system in Wales.

2. The evidence that the Covid Passes were having a significant positive effect upon Covid-19 rates PRIOR to their expansion to cinemas etc.

3. The evidence relating to the continued use of the Covid Passes in Wales.

4. How often this data is reviewed?

5. The data and research the Welsh Government has conducted or taken on board (including the Author's details and research titles), relating to the social, economic and psychological implications of the Covid Pass system.

Our Response

1. We can confirm that the information you have requested is already in the public domain and is therefore exempt from disclosure under Section 21 of the Act. We are not required to provide information which is already reasonably accessible to you. The information you have requested has been published and is available at this website: https://gov.wales/atisn15646.

2. We can confirm that the information you have requested is already in the public domain and is therefore exempt from disclosure under Section 21 of the Act. We are not required to provide information which is already reasonably accessible to you. The information you have requested is available at this website: https://gov.wales/atisn15646 and  https://gov.wales/atisn15756 

3. The evidence provided to Cabinet to consider at its review on the 13 January can be found at the following link: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2022-01/advice-technical-advisory-cell-and-chief-scientific-advisor-health-21-day-review-13-january.pdf

4. The Welsh Government reviews the measures it has introduced to mitigate the impact of covid 19 (including the covid pass) as part of its 21 day reviews.

5. We can confirm that the information you have requested is already in the public domain and is therefore exempt from disclosure under Section 21 of the Act. We are not required to provide information which is already reasonably accessible to you. The information you have requested has been published and is available at this website: https://gov.wales/atisn15756.

Next Steps

If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response. Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at:

Information Rights Unit, 
Welsh Government,
Cathays Park, 
Cardiff, 
CF10 3NQ 
or Email:  Freedom.ofinformation@gov.wales

Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office, 
Wycliffe House, 
Water Lane, 
Wilmslow, 
Cheshire, 
SK9 5AF

However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.

Yours sincerely