It’s true to say I like a drink now and then. My tastes have changed over the years and at the moment I’m a fan of so-called craft beers. But here’s the thing, I don’t go to the pub very often.

Every now and then, probably no more than three or four times a year, I might nip to the pub but my real purpose isn’t to drink (although I might have a pint or two) it’s to eat.

So I’m finding it very strange that as lockdown has gone on, I am developing something akin to an overwhelming urge to go out drinking. I quite fancy a craft beer crawl around Manchester, although I’d also settle for a pint of fizzy lager in my local.

I don’t know why but I just want to go back to the pub – but I also don’t want to contract Covid-19.

So on the face of it, the idea of some kind of vaccine passport appeals to me. I’ve already had one jab and my second is due early next month, so by mid-May I’m as safe and protected as I’m going to be.

Just imagine, if it can be proved that everyone else in the pub is all jabbed up as well, how much more relaxing would that be.

And yes, I do realise this is selfish on my part and that the idea of vaccine passports is not without problems. It also appears that the Government can’t make its mind up about them either.

On the one hand, various government ministers have warned that a vaccine passport could be discriminatory.

Happy days for all those who have had both jabs, but what about those who can’t be vaccinated for whatever reason? Or given the vaccine roll-out is likely to slow down, what about those younger people who really want the jab but who have to wait until it’s their turn. Just imagine the situation, pubs full of pensioners clinking their glasses together and having a good old singsong while all the Millennial’s are stuck outside with their little faces pressed against the window, forlornly looking in. At least us post-60-year-olds will have some benefit for our advancing years. I’m joking, of course, but it does appear the mood is softening towards vaccine passports at the very highest level.

According to reports, prime minister Boris Johnson was opposed to the idea that vaccine passports may be needed may be needed to get a drink in a pub, but there does seem to be something of a U-turn from Johnson. Speaking to a committee of MPs, he hinted that the decision could be made by individual businesses.

He said: “I think that’s the kind of thing that may be up to individual publicans. It may be up to the landlord.”

The suggestion is the Government could allow, pubs, bars and restaurants to set their own coronavirus admission rules under a review being led by Michael Gove.

But if you think about it, many pubs and other venues already operate entrance policies. If you can get turned away by the bouncers for wearing trainers or football shirts (both things have happened to me in the past) surely it’s not much of a leap to being turned away because you could potentially be carrying a life-threatening virus.

Interestingly, the idea of vaccine passports combined with rapid Covid testing does have some support from Sacha Lord, night time economy adviser to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Lord, co-founder of the city’s Parklife music festival, said: “We have to look at how to get back to normal. A gig isn’t a gig or a festival isn’t a festival unless you are stood shoulder to shoulder with your friends.

“I don’t think we should be forcing people into the vaccine passports. It should be a choice. But on entry, if you don’t have that passport, then we will give you another option,” he added, suggesting the use of rapid result coronavirus tests.

That’s not a view shared by Kate Nicholls, chief executive of industry body UKHospitality, who said: “It’s crucial that visiting the pub and other parts of hospitality should not be subject to mandatory vaccination certification.

“It is simply unworkable, would cause conflict between staff and customers and almost certainty result in breaches of equality rules.”

But it looks like some sectors have already made up their minds.

Singapore Airlines has begun a trial of a vaccine passport app, as has Qatar Airways. TUI AG, the world’s biggest tour operator, says vaccine passports will be key to resuscitating its business. And Carnival Corp’s UK-based P&O Cruises has stipulated that no-one can board its ships this summer without proof of vaccination.

And it could go even further. Spain will consider a ‘green corridor’ for vaccinated British tourists if there is no EU agreement on vaccination passports.

Perhaps now is the time for Johnson, Gove et al to stop dithering about vaccine passports. And if they do, mine’s a pint of IPA.

Cheers.