Local Community Advertising
The BC Vaccine Card is now in effect.
Starting today, British Columbians will need proof of vaccination at what the provincial health officer (PHO) calls “higher-risk social and recreational events and settings.”
For now, you only need proof of having one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but that will change to proof of being fully vaccinated with two doses on Oct. 24.
"Getting vaccinated is the proven choice to protect ourselves and the people around us,” said PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry in a press conference last week.
“The requirement for proof of vaccine will make our communities safer and also ensure that events and gatherings are safer for all of us.”
Effective September 13, people aged 12 and over will be required to show proof of vaccination to get into many events and businesses in BC. Are you vaccinated with your first or second dose? Get your digital or paper BC Vaccine Card today. https://t.co/nnmb7HPiKn #CovidBC pic.twitter.com/dHynD0vqYK
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) September 8, 2021
The BC Vaccine Card will be needed for the following:
- Indoor ticketed sporting events.
- Indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events.
- Nightclubs, casinos and movies theatres.
- Licensed restaurants and bars (it will not be needed for fast-food restaurants, drive-thrus, cafeterias and food courts).
- Indoor fitness centres/gyms/adult sports.
- Indoor group exercise activities
- Organized indoor events with 50 or more people (e.g., wedding receptions, organized parties, conferences, workshops)
- Discretionary organized indoor group recreational classes and activities.
To get your card, click this link and follow the steps to get verified.
Once you do that, you will be able to save a digital copy of your BC Vaccine Card to your phone or print out a hard copy that you can present alongside a government-issued photo ID when entering certain businesses and events.
There will be a transition period, Dr. Bonnie Henry explained last week, which means you’ll be able to use your physical vaccination card that you got when receiving your shot until Sept. 27.
Everyone’s card will include a secure, individualized QR code and image that shows either “vaccinated” or “partially vaccinated.”
Businesses will be able to either scan the QR code using a QR reader or they can visually verify the person’s proof of vaccination.
Visitors from outside of BC will be able to show their vaccination cards or documents from other provinces and countries checked alongside an official government ID.
Businesses will receive information from the provincial government of what to look for when checking out-of-province vaccination cards.
Local Community Advertising