Do you want COVID-19 vaccine cards? B.C. applauded for 'solid system', while Ontario, Alberta strongly oppose the idea
Now that British Columbia has joined Quebec in mandating proof of COVID-19 vaccination to access services like restaurants and gyms, recently released poll results identify that areas of the country that are the most, and least, supportive of vaccine certification for domestic use.
The Yahoo/Maru Public Opinion survey was conducted between Aug. 9 and Aug. 10 with 1,504 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists. It reveals that 70 per cent of Canadians want a proof of vaccination card, like a driver’s license with a QR code, or a similar app.
The poll found that respondents in Atlantic Canada were the least supportive of having a vaccine status identification card or digital app for local use, with 37 per cent saying they are against this type of certification, followed by Alberta (35 per cent) and Ontario (30 per cent).
The provinces that were most in favour of this kind of proof of vaccination system are Quebec, with 74 per cent of respondents in that province in support, followed by respondents in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (74 per cent) and B.C. (71 per cent).
To help protect people from COVID-19, people aged 12+ will soon be required to show proof of vaccination to access certain events, services, and businesses in BC. Book your vaccine appointment now to get ready: https://t.co/vp7cpgcaAT #CovidBC #VaxForBC pic.twitter.com/QH9IausdZn
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) August 24, 2021
What do we know about how B.C. will implement its proof of vaccination system?
Beginning on Sept. 13, proof of vaccination will be required in B.C. for anyone to access a number of recreational services.
This includes:
Indoor ticketed concerts, theatre, dance, symphony and sporting events
Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, pubs and bars
Nightclubs and casinos
Movie theatres
Gyms, pools and recreation facilities. Does not include youth recreational sport
Indoor high intensity group exercise
Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, parties, conferences, meetings and workshops
Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery and artDoes not include K to 12 school and before and after school programs
Post-secondary on-campus student housing
Specifically, by Sept. 13, everyone age 12 and older must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 24. Post-secondary students must be partially vaccinated by Sept. 7 to access services in those settings.
A website will be available on Sept. 13 and will provide confidential access to each individual in B.C.'s proof of vaccination. This vaccine card can be saved on a smartphone but a paper option will also be available.
Visitors from Canada, outside of B.C., will be required to provincially/territorially officially recognized vaccine record and government-issued ID from the same province. Visitors from outside of Canada must show the proof of vaccination they used to enter Canada and their passport.
Several people took to social media to comment on B.C. announcement about proof of vaccination on Monday.
British Columbia brings in a pretty solid vaccine passport system, eliminates loopholes seen elsewhere (eg 'medical' exemptions). I've been sharply critical of BC futzing about mask mandates, but I have to admit... this is very strong and decisive action. To paraphrase Churchill: https://t.co/ASMeLiyChn pic.twitter.com/jK5sCCycKq
— Kashif Pirzada, MD (@KashPrime) August 24, 2021
Best part of BC's vaccine passport is quickly learning who to un-follow when they post their outrage. #VaccinePassport
— Rob Hodkinson🇨🇦🏴 (@RobHodkinson) August 23, 2021
And I couldn’t be happier! My province is also implementing vaccine cards Sept 13, no exceptions. This is the future. Get on the ride or stay home. Your choice. #VaccinePassport pic.twitter.com/2Mx7OIalmd
— GamerPeep (@Shoeprincss7) August 24, 2021
Me, too. #BC #VaccinePassport https://t.co/ihsKVNhDWO
— Erin Davis (@erindavis) August 23, 2021