Eric Clapton says he won’t play at music venues where coronavirus vaccine proof is required

Eric Clapton has said he will not perform at any venues that require attendees to prove that they have received their full vaccination from the coronavirus. 

The musician and outspoken vaccine skeptic issued a statement that was highly critical of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that vaccine passes would be required to enter nightclubs and other live performance venues in light of increasing coronavirus cases.

The “Wonderful Tonight” singer issued a statement on the Telegram account of film producer and architect Robin Monotti, a known COVID-19 vaccination skeptic as well. In it, he issued a direct response to Johnson’s announcement and called the situation for those who do not wish to get the vaccine discriminatory. 

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“Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021 I feel honor-bound to make an announcement of my own,” Clapton said. “I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”

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The message was accompanied by a link to the 76-year-old’s recent collaboration with Van Morrison for the anti-lockdown song “Stand and Deliver.” The 4-minute and 33-second track expresses criticism over shelter-in-place orders and other coronavirus restrictions such as face masks.

“Do you wanna be a free man/ Or do you wanna be a slave?” Clapton sings. “Do you wanna wear these chains / Until you’re lying in the grave?”

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The Guardian reports that Clapton previously used Monotti’s Telegram account in May to share his negative experiences of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, claiming to have experienced “severe” reactions after getting his shot. 

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According to Rolling Stone, Clapton’s declaration won’t bump with the Prime Minister’s directive until at least May of 2022 when he has two dates scheduled to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. However, he has a handful of North American concert dates scheduled for September.

As of Thursday morning, the novel coronavirus has infected more than 192,027,538 people across 192 countries and territories, resulting in at least 4,127,251 deaths. In the U.S., all 50 states plus the District of Columbia have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19, tallying more than 34,226,889 illnesses and at least 609,862 deaths.