The B.C. Vaccine Card program begins on Sept. 13 and they will be required to get into many City of Burnaby facilities.
"As we have throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the city continues to follow the guidance and direction of the Provincial Health Officer and Fraser Health," a news release from the City of Burnaby says.
"Implementing BC Vaccine Card procedures is required in order to comply with legislation."
A BC Vaccine Card must be presented at the following locations:
- Recreation centres (including ice arenas)
- Cultural facilities (including Shadbolt Centre for the Arts)
- Restaurants (Riverway Golf Course, Burnaby Mountain Golf Course)
The city says proof of being vaccinated is not required when visiting Burnaby Public Library branches, where staff are available to help Burnaby residents who need help applying for the vaccine card.
By Sept. 13, one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be required to enter discretionary activities including:
- Indoor ticketed sporting events
- Indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events
- Licensed restaurants that offer table service (indoor and patio dining)
- Pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and patio dining)
- Nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres
- Gyms, exercise facilities/studios and recreation facilities
- Businesses offering indoor group exercise
- Indoor adult group and team sports for those 19 years of age and older
- Indoor organized events with 50 people or more such as wedding receptions, organized parties, conferences and workshops
- Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery, art and choir
- Post-secondary on-campus student housing
By Oct. 24, two doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory to access the above services. The requirement is in place until Jan. 31, 2022, with the possibility of being extended.
Residents can apply for the B.C. vaccine card by visiting http://gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard and entering their personal health number, date of birth and date of either their first or second COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Users will then be able to save a digital version of the card, which will rely on QR codes to facilitate verification by businesses, on their mobile phones or else print off a paper copy from the website. If an individual does not have access to the internet, they can call 1-833-838-2323 to get a paper copy mailed to them.
Businesses will need to scan the vaccine card’s QR code using a yet-to-be-released app known as the BC Card Vaccine Verifier before allowing patrons inside. Otherwise, workers can also look at the card and verify the user’s name and vaccination details along with the government photo ID.
The app will only confirm a user’s vaccination status: fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or no records found. No additional health info will be contained in the app or stored in the worker’s mobile device.
From Sept. 13-26, British Columbians can still use the wallet-sized paper cards issued to them when they received their vaccine doses if they wish to enter businesses or events without the digital card or print-out copy of the QR code.
Retail outlets such as grocery and liquor stores, as well as fast-food restaurants, food courts and cafeterias will not be required to verify customers’ vaccination status to grant entry.
- With files from Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
