With Canada reopening its borders to international visitors for non-essential travel, including tourism, British Columbia has shared details about its vaccine cards. Starting September 13, some businesses, events and services in the province will need to check for proof of vaccination among individuals seeking access to their venues or spaces. For the time being, businesses will need to verify that people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before getting admission, while from October 24, businesses will need to ascertain that people are fully vaccinated.
Proof of vaccine can be confirmed visually, or by using the new BC Vaccine Card Verifier app, which will be available for free download September 13 on the App Store and Google Play. Once the app is downloaded, businesses can scan customers’ QR codes, available on digital or paper vaccine card. The code will confirm whether the individual has been partially or fully vaccinated.
Passengers arriving in Canada must be fully vaccinated and meet entry requirements, including proof of full vaccination; valid pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test; showing no symptoms of COVID-19; submitting mandatory information via the ArriveCAN app; being admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and taking a test on arrival, if selected.
The places where proof of vaccination is mandatory include indoor ticketed sporting events; indoor concerts, theater, dance and symphony events; licensed restaurants and restaurants that offer table service (indoor and patio dining); pubs, bars and lounges; nightclubs, casinos and movie theaters; gyms, exercise facilities/studios, pools and recreation facilities; businesses offering indoor group exercise; indoor adult group and team sports for people 22 years old or older; indoor organized events with 50 or more people, such as wedding receptions, organized parties, conferences and workshops; indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery, art and choir and post-secondary on-campus student housing.
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