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BC is now second province after Quebec to require a vaccine passport card

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Aug, 2021 01:28 PM
  • BC is now second province after Quebec to require a vaccine passport card

British Columbia will be requiring proof of vaccination for people attending certain social and recreational settings and events. As of September 13, one dose of vaccine will be required for entry to various public settings.

Premier John Horgan said Monday the card will give people the confidence to attend non-discretionary activities and businesses, especially as the province is unlikely to move into the last step of its restart plan on Sept. 7 as the Delta variant leads to a sharp uptick in cases.

Over 83 per cent of those who are eligible for a vaccine have received one dose and nearly 75 per cent have been fully vaccinated, suggesting the majority of residents support proof of vaccination, he said.

The government has been working with the privacy commissioner to ensure data on the B.C. Vaccine Card, which can be downloaded onto phones, is kept secure, the premier said.

Here is a full list of where vaccine will be required: -Indoor ticketed sporting events -Indoor concerts -Indoor theatre/dance/symphony events -Restaurants (indoor and patio dining) -Night clubs -Casinos -Movie theatres.  Fitness centres/gyms (excluding youth recreational sport) -Businesses offering indoor high-intensity group exercise activities -Organized indoor events (eg. weddings, parties, conferences, meetings, workshops).
 
This also includes "discretionary organized indoor group recreational classes and activities". On whether this applies to faith based services, Dr. Henry says does not apply to faith services, retail, grocery stores and health services.
 
After Oct. 24, Henry says entry to the same settings will require those 12 years and older to be fully vaccinated and only children 12 and under will be exempt.
 
Dr. Henry said the new measures will help reduce transmission of the virus and allow businesses to remain open for those who are protected by vaccines.

"Over the past month, up until the end of last week, people who've not been fully vaccinated account for almost 90 per cent of all of our cases and over 93 per cent of hospitalizations," Dr. Henry said.

"To put it in context, we have a rate of 28 per 100,000 cases in people who are unvaccinated, compared to two per 100,000 for people who are fully vaccinated. What that tells us is that your risk is 10 times higher if you've not been protected through vaccine."

Businesses will be required to look for proof of vaccination at least until January, but that may change depending on the number of cases as people spend more time at indoor social settings during the respiratory season, Henry said.

Provisions for those without a phone include access to a call centre, but further details will be provided after the Labour Day weekend and there will be a process for fully vaccinated visitors from outside the province to access the same services.

Both Horgan and Henry had previously suggested proof of vaccination would not be required, but that was before the seven-day moving average of COVID-19 cases jumped to 557 last week, up from 36 in early July.

Stephen Hoption Cann, an epidemiologist at the University of British Columbia's school of population and public health, said the proof of vaccination requirement was only a matter of time in keeping up with other jurisdictions trying to kick-start their economies.

"I think we're realizing that we can only go on so long economically before we run into a huge amount of debt," he said.

However, he said it makes sense to also require health-care workers in all settings to be vaccinated, after B.C. made it mandatory for those employed in long-term care and assisted living facilities to have both doses by Oct. 12.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province is looking at mandatory vaccination in other areas in health care.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade welcomed the announcement of the vaccine card, saying it provides clarity for businesses making decisions around protecting the health and safety of staff and customers as many establishments struggle to manage labour and supply shortages.

“It’s imperative that the provincial government works closely with business owners to ensure a seamless transition to the B.C. Vaccine Card, one that protects front-line staff, ensures the technology is widely accessible and available, and is compatible with similar efforts across the country.”

Proof of vaccination will also be required for people visiting from outside of B.C. using a provincially/territorially recognized official record alongside valid government ID from the jurisdiction.
 
For individuals visiting from outside of Canada, they will be required to show their proof of vaccination used to enter the country and their passport.
 
The province will unveil K to 12 and post-secondary plans tomorrow. 
 
On workplace requirements, Dr. Henry says the employee/employer relationship is different. The province is working on COVID plans and working with WorkSafe on workplace.
 
On vaccination for provincial government employees, Dix mentions long term care workers and the health care system. "We are starting there because it is where there is the highest risk."
 
On enforcement, Dr. Henry says the proof of immunization will have a picture on it. There will be enforcement support from by-law officers.
 
British Columbia will not be providing any exemptions for eligible individuals. Vaccine proof is being described as temporary measure. Those who cannot be vaccinated cannot attend these events. There will be no religious exemptions. Those under 12 are exempt.
 
 
 
 
 

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