From 12:01 a.m. Friday, the BC vaccine card, which has been in use since September, is no longer required unless an individual company chooses to continue using it. However, proof of vaccination is required for federally regulated travel, such as on airplanes.
Other counties ended vaccine card programs much earlier than BC Ontario lifted its requirement in early March, while Alberta lifted its passport in February. The Quebec vaccine passport, which was stricter than BC and used to access cans and liquor stores, was phased out in mid-March.
However, earlier this week, BC health officials confirmed the end of the vaccine card program locally.
Dr Bonnie Henry also gave a modeling presentation claiming that there was a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, as observed by wastewater testing in the Lower Continent.
With increases in activity, more travel and a slightly more contagious variant, Henry said on Tuesday, officials “know they are likely to see a slight increase over time next month to two months and then a gradual decline again.” .
Even so, Henry said some measures “are no longer necessary continuously”, including the vaccine card, which he said was “very effective in supporting people getting vaccinated”.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Brian Conway agrees.
“You really need three shots to protect yourself from the Omicron variants. Thus, the importance of the vaccine passport has been reduced. He got his purpose now. “Let’s go ahead and tackle the endemic COVID,” Conway said.
However, Conway stressed that the pandemic was not over and said that now was the time for the British Colombians to take individual responsibility.
“We live in a COVID world,” he said.
“Take your shots if you have not received all the shots you are entitled to. Stay home if you are sick, keep washing your hands, have a mask on your person to use it strategically. Mask commands have been turned into a mask Let ‘s find out this etiquette and these must be our priorities “.
Businesses are preparing for the end of vaccine card requirements, with some choosing to reinstate other security measures.
“There will be enhanced cleaning, disinfection. Many restaurants will probably not return to the menus. They will be QR codes, with a much greater emphasis on patios,” said Ian Tostenson of the BC Association of Restaurants and Food Services.
With more than 90 per cent of eligible British Colombians vaccinated against COVID-19, Tostenson said each individual should assess their own risk, adding that it was Dr Bonnie Henry and not the union that pushed for change.
“The chances of being in a restaurant with an unvaccinated person are very small in British Columbia,” he said.
The vaccination passport program was designed to safely relax restrictions on rally events and encourage people to get vaccinated.
“It gave the public a sense of competence where we had it, while we got to those high vaccination rates,” Tostenson said.
He said he has not heard of any restaurant that will continue to ask for it, but there is still a chance.
“There may be a small community somewhere where they know their customers and would like to have it,” he said.
“But I think in general, the public understands that with or without the vaccination card, security in a restaurant is not going to change.”
Proof of vaccination is also required to visit those in long-term care and assisted living facilities in BC
With files from Bhinder Sajan of CTV News Vancouver
