By Don Urquhart, Times-Chronicle
The BC Vaccine Card kicked off yesterday with a short online registration process generating a QR code and an image showing either ‘vaccinated’ or ‘partially vaccinated’ depending on whether a person has had one or two vaccinations.
This secure QR code can then be used either digitally on a mobile device or in printed format. Once a person arrives at a business requiring proof of vaccination the digital or paper code will be scanned and a valid government photo ID for people age 19 and over will need to be presented. Those aged 12-18 do not need to show ID. Businesses will soon be able to download an app called the BC Vaccine Card Verifier app.
Starting from Sept. 13, British Columbians will need to provide proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter restaurants, movies, ticketed sporting events and many other non-essential venues. From Oct. 24, only fully vaccinated people will be able to access those same services and venues.
British Columbians will still be able to use the paper card they received at vaccination sites until Sept. 26. After that, however, the BC Vaccine Card will be the only acceptable form of proof of vaccination.
Speaking yesterday Premier John Horgan said the BC Vaccine Card was made to be simple but secure. “We have made the BC Vaccine Card easy for people to get, and easy for businesses to check at a glance. The card is a significant step in getting our economy running on all cylinders, and returning to social events safely with the confidence that those around us are also fully vaccinated,” he said.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 8 some 85.1 per cent of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 77.6 per cent received their second dose.
“Getting vaccinated is the proven choice to protect ourselves and the people around us. The requirement for proof of vaccine will make our communities safer and also ensure that events and gatherings are safer for all of us,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. “I encourage everyone to get their BC Vaccine Card to protect their community, support their local businesses and each other.”
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The importance of getting the vaccination numbers up was evidenced by the growing infection rate with B.C. reporting 2,425 new cases of COVID-19 over a four-day period between Sept. 3-7, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 170,750 cases in the province.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health reiterated that the surge in cases was primarily due to groups of unvaccinated people. “The BC Vaccine Card is a show of confidence. It says in our pandemic — when doing the right thing to stop the spread is the mandate we all share in — that we’re doing the right thing by being vaccinated.”
There are 5,465 active cases of COVID-19 in the province of which 255 individuals are in hospital and 126 are in intensive care. In the past 96 hours, 15 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,842.
The Interior Health region is still leading the case count with 838 new cases and 1,714 total active cases. This compares with the larger population of the Lower Mainland’s Fraser Health unit which has 705 new cases and 1,530 total cases.
There are 5,465 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 163,062 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 255 individuals are in hospital and 126 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
The BC Vaccine Card is available online at gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard. Those without access to a computer and/or printer can get their card by calling 1-833-838-2323 at the Get Vaccinated call centre to have their printed copy mailed to them. They can also have a trusted friend, family member or support person print their card for them or they can visit a Service BC Centre to get one.
