The Senedd has voted in favour of extending NHS Covid passes to cinemas, theatres and concert halls in Penarth and the rest of Wales.

Currently, visitors to nightclubs and large events have to show they are fully vaccinated, have tested negative for Covid or have recently had the virus to enter.

From Monday, it will be extended to cinemas, theatres and concert halls.

Labour ministers won the vote after Plaid Cymru backed the plans.

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.

Following the vote, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said:

"I am pleased the extension has been agreed today following the vote. Covid has not gone away and cases remain high and we need to continue take steps to Keep Wales Safe.

"The NHS COVID Pass is one measure among many to help to keep businesses open while also helping to control the spread of the virus.

"The decision to introduce them has not been taken lightly and the venues that will be covered are indoors and see large numbers of people being closely together for prolonged periods of time.

"Since 11 October, people have been required to show an NHS COVID Pass or recent negative lateral flow test result to enter nightclubs, similar venues and events and the service is working well.

"We have received positive feedback from a range of businesses and organisers of major events, including following the recent rugby internationals. We will continue to work with the sectors who are implementing the scheme to best support them."

After the results, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS stated:

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats are extremely disappointed to see the covid pass system extended. Our view remains that the system is both illiberal and unworkable and we have not been provided with evidence to the contrary. The Welsh Government has broken trust by expanding a scheme it initially stated was for very limited circumstances.

"Despite requests to the Health Minister, we have not been provided with any evidence that shows the scheme has been effective in keeping down case numbers. There has also been no evidence provided to as why cinemas, theatres and concert halls have been singled out specifically.

"Both the Government's own advisory unit and Chief Medical Officer have themselves admitted in the last week that the impact of the scheme is likely very small.

"It is deeply concerning the impact this decision will have on small businesses across Wales, over the last few weeks a number of community cinemas and theatres have gotten in touch with to express their fear of how they are meant to hire new staff to enforce this scheme without any financial support from the Welsh Government."

For further information visit https://gov.wales/get-your-nhs-covid-pass