Premier John Horgan unveiled the BC vaccine card on Monday, Aug. 23 as a way for the province to fight rising case counts, the majority of which are coming from un-vaccinated individuals. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VAX PASSPORT

Province implementing COVID-19 vaccine passport system for restaurants, movies & more

Aug 23, 2021 | 1:14 PM

NANAIMO — Proof of vaccination will soon be required to access some non-essential businesses.

Premier John Horgan announced the BC vaccine card, a new, ramped up strategy for B.C.’s immunization plan which will further mandate the COVID-19 vaccine in the province.

Beginning Sep. 13, only those who have received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine may attend places and events like indoor ticketed sporting events, indoor concerts, restaurants, night clubs, casinos and movie theatres.

“This is a step we believe is important at this point in the pandemic,” Premier Horgan said. “There is no reason why those who are anxious to participate in the social and economic life of our community can’t take this next step and get that safe and effective vaccine.”

Also included are fitness centres, high-intensity group exercise activities and organized indoor events such as weddings and conferences.

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Beginning Oct. 24, the province will require people be fully vaccinated for at least a week through two doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Only those aged 12 and older are affected by the new policy, with no restriction in place for children 11 and younger.

Full details on how to obtain a BC vaccine card, which will mainly involve a downloadable card for smart phones, will come prior to the September long weekend.

Accommodations will be made for those who are unable to use the phones or other devices to show their card.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the success of approved COVID-19 vaccines was proof enough they are the best way forward for British Columbians.

“Up until the end of last week, people who have not been fully vaccinated account for almost 90 per cent of all of our cases and over 93 per cent of the hospitalizations we’ve had this past month.”

She added the infection rate was 28 out of 100,000 people among unvaccinated individuals, but just two out of 100,000 for those who were fully vaccinated.

“Your risk is ten times higher if you’ve not been protected through vaccine and what we’re seeing is that leads to transmission in clusters of groups of people when they come together, particularly now we’re seeing transmission of the…Delta variant across the province.”

Dr. Henry said the BC vaccine card program will not have any exemptions based on medical history or religious beliefs. Those from out of the province will also be expected to show proof of vaccination from their home province or country.

She said the card is a “temporary measure” to get the province through a period of high transmissibility. The program will run through to Jan. 31, 2022.

Horgan confirmed it was “not likely” B.C. will move to stage four of its restart plan as scheduled on Sep. 7, pointing to rising cases from the Delta variant.

The province’s full announcement from Monday is below:

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