By: Karissa Ketter, News Writer
BC has developed a vaccine card which is now required for individuals age 12 and older to enter some events and services. As of September 13, 2021, individuals need proof of partial vaccination with at least one dose. As of October 24, 2021, individuals will need to be fully vaccinated with proof of two doses to enter select events and services. They will require the vaccine card to be accompanied by a piece of valid photo ID.
Proof of vaccination via the vaccine card will be needed for ticketed sporting events, nightclubs, exercise facilities, pubs, restaurants, theatres, and post-secondary student residences, among other venues.
They will not be required for grocery stores, retail stores, health care, or other essential services. At post-secondary schools, classrooms, academic events, libraries, teaching labs, or campus cafeterias do not require them either.
The card creates an individual-specific QR code that restaurants and businesses will be able to scan. To ensure privacy, the QR code stores “the absolute minimum level of information and is not connected to other health records,” according to the provincial government’s website.
The card can be obtained after vaccination by entering your birth date, personal health number, and date of either vaccination dose at BC government website. Along with the QR code, the card will display your name and vaccination status — partially vaccinated, vaccinated, or no record found.
The card can be stored by screenshotting the QR code and saving the photo to your mobile device. For those without access to a smartphone, a paper copy can be requested online.
The announcement of vaccine cards has sparked outrage amongst some British Columbians who held a protest outside of Vancouver General Hospital. Thousands of protestors gathered on September 1, 2021 and were reported to have caused a great disturbance to hospital patients, ambulances’ ability to travel, and hospital staff.
In a press release on August 23, Premier John Horgan said, “Vaccines are our ticket to putting this pandemic behind us [ . . . ] So I call on all eligible unvaccinated British Columbians to roll up their sleeves to stop the spread, and help protect themselves, their loved ones and the people in their community. British Columbia has one of the strongest vaccination rates in Canada with 75% of eligible people now fully vaccinated, but there is still more work to do.”
SFU will require students to use the BC vaccine card to attend non-essential activities, events, and business on campus as of September 13, 2021. These events include ticketed indoor concerts, gyms, recreational facilities, pools, conferences, club events with more than 50 people, among other activities.
