Jersey will not follow England in requiring nightclub-goers to be fully vaccinated.

Two jabs will be needed to attend nightclubs and other large events in England from the end of September.

Nightclubs can fully reopen in Jersey, with dancing, on Thursday 26 August.

Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, says he values civil liberties and the right to choose.

"Whilst we encourage as many people as possible to vaccinate, the more people the vaccinate, the more chance the population has of getting through this with minimal disruption."

The government said yesterday (11 August) that 80% of Jersey adults have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

However, vaccine take-up amongst the younger age groups remains much lower than older groups.

As of Wednesday 4 August, only 48% of 18 to 29-year-olds in Jersey were fully vaccinated.

The UK Health Department launched a campaign last week, alongside some nightclub owners such as Heaven in London, to encourage more young adults to get the vaccine 'so they can get back to enjoying the things they have missed.'

Heaven hosted a pop-up vaccine site last weekend.

Despite that push - Jersey's External Relations Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, says we are a small close-knit community - and it's not right to force decisions onto other people.

"I think we should encourage everyone. It's the socially responsible thing to do if we are seeking to protect our own health, our own family, our own work environment, our own friends.

"We should make strongly the case against some others who are using arguments which are not based on good science and are not based on facts, as far as I can see.

"If the UK government follows through with its aim of introducing that at the end of September, islanders that want to go to the United Kingdom and go to nightclubs and various venues, they're going to have to be vaccinated as well.

"I think that will help islanders make a positive, strong decision to be vaccinated."

Large events can take place again in Jersey from Thursday 26 August.

The organisers of the Electric Park Festival have welcomed the news on their Facebook page.

Subject to permission from the Bailiff's Panel, the Jersey Air Display is also set to go ahead next month.

One of the largest events in the Jersey calendar, the Weekender Festival, will not go ahead.

It was cancelled earlier this week.

Senator Farnham says he met with organisers last week to outline the plans, but there was too much uncertainty for them to proceed this year.

He adds what while it's hugely disappointing, it was possibly the right decision.

"I think we're in the territory now of having to pay for everything and of course we still have COVID with us. I think there were a lot of factors.

"It's hugely, hugely disappointing, but I very much hope they can come back with a vengeance in 2022. We'll do everything we can to help them."