BC’s top doctor is requiring all health care staff in the province to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says everybody who works at a health care facility in BC, including volunteers and contracted workers, will need to be vaccinated before the end of October.
“Including contracted facilities which are accessible to patients and where they receive services, so it also includes people who work in settings such as home and community care locations such as clients’ homes,” says Henry. “This order will come into effect on October 26.”
She is also calling out those who have taken out frustrations on health care staff with regards to the BC Vaccine Card or other COVID-19 related issues, saying she’s “disheartened” by such instances.
“I’m very disheartened to see that some people find that it’s ok to take out this frustration on health care workers,” Henry says. “Our health care workers across BC are day in and day out providing the care we need in sometimes extremely stressful situations.”
Meanwhile, Interior Health says with the new BC Vaccine Card system in place it is possible for larger events to go ahead as long as participants can show proof of vaccination.
This means indoor events may be held which include 50 people or 50% of a building’s capacity, whichever is larger.
View more information from the Province and Interior Health below, beginning with a statement from the BC government:
The BC Vaccine Card is now in effect throughout British Columbia, bringing people together to enjoy certain businesses and recreational events safely.
Starting Sept. 13, 2021, new COVID-19 vaccine requirements will apply so businesses can stay open and people can feel safe in these settings, while vaccination rates continue to rise.
“Today’s implementation of the BC Vaccine Card is a vital achievement in our B.C. pandemic,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “It says we have vaccines to fight COVID-19, that we are getting our vaccines to stop the spread, and that we can have confidence in attending certain events and activities knowing that those around us are vaccinated, too.”
Businesses can now download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App from the Google Play and Apple App stores and use the app to verify customers BC Vaccine Card, or visually verify the person’s proof of vaccination. A government-issued photo is required for those 19+.
Information for businesses and a toolkit can be found online: gov.bc.ca/VaccineCard-Businesses
The Provincial Call Centre now has a dedicated line for businesses to call with their questions on the BC Vaccine Card. They can call 1 833 838-2323, select option 1, then option 3. Be patient if you call the call centre, as staff work through the call volumes. A business package is available on the provincial vaccine website.
People can get their BC Vaccine Card online: gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard and keep a digital copy on their mobile device by taking a screen shot or printing a hard copy to present when entering designated businesses and events.
The BC Vaccine Card includes a secure individualized QR code and image showing either “vaccinated” or “partially vaccinated.” People are required to have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine, and both doses by Oct. 24.
“With the BC Vaccine Card, we will be able to do more of the things we love that much more safely,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. “Public health will continue to monitor the outcomes of the program, and our hope is that we will be able to remove capacity limits and other restrictions, thanks to the protection offered through the BC Vaccine Card.”
Since the BC Vaccine Card was announced on Sept. 7, more than 2.2 million people have obtained their cards.
This new requirement is in effect through orders of the provincial health officer.
Learn More:
To learn more about the vaccine card and how to access yours, visit: gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard
Information for businesses, including step-by-step instructions can be found online: gov.bc.ca/ (http://www.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard-businesses)vaccinecard (http://www.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard-businesses)-businesses (http://www.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard-businesses)
How it works
* Individuals who have received their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. can access their BC Vaccine Card by visiting: gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard (http://gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard)
* To access their proof of vaccination, they will enter their:
* Personal health number
* Date of birth
* Date of vaccination (either dose 1 or dose 2)
* The BC Vaccine Card can be saved to a mobile device or printed and will include a secure individualized QR code.
* There is now an improved option for saving the BC Vaccine Card onto a phone. Those details will be available at: gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard
* Individuals who cannot access the electronic BC Vaccine Card can ask a friend, family member or support person to print their BC Vaccine Card for them, visit a Service BC office, or call 1 833 838-2323 to receive a copy in the mail.
* Businesses can now download a reader app (BC Vaccine Card Verifier App) from the Google and Apple app stores, to securely read the QR code to determine a person’s proof of vaccination. No personal information will be retained in the app.
* Businesses and event operators will be provided with a suite of communications tools, including posters, a question-and-answer document, and a list of approved proofs of vaccination from other jurisdictions to guide them on how to check a vaccine card.
* As of Sept. 13, 2021, people in British Columbia will be required to present their BC Vaccine Card showing partial vaccination (dose 1) to access certain businesses and events.
* As of Oct. 24, 2021, people in British Columbia will be required to present their BC Vaccine Card showing they are fully vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to access the same list of businesses and events.
* The use of the BC Vaccine Card will be phased in to allow people extra time to transition to their new cards.
* From Sept. 13, 2021, to Sept. 26, 2021, people will also be able to use the vaccination records they received at B.C. vaccine clinics or pharmacies as valid proof of vaccination.
* Starting Sept. 27, 2021, only the B.C. Vaccine Card will be accepted for people vaccinated in B.C.
* In areas where community transmission is increased significantly or where there are outbreaks, the requirements to be fully vaccinated to access these events and activities may be required earlier at the direction of the local medical health officer.
* A full list of settings where proof of vaccination will be required is available here:
* indoor ticketed sporting events
* indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events
* licensed restaurants, and those that offer table service (indoor and outdoor dining)
* pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and outdoor dining)
* night clubs, casinos, movie theatres
* fitness centres/gyms/adult sports (indoor)
* 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
* Individuals will show proof of vaccination in the settings listed in the orders of the provincial health officer (PHO), alongside one piece of government-issued photo identification for people 19+. People aged 12 to 18 do not need to show identification.
* Starting next week, there will be a process for people who have changed their name since being vaccinated. People can visit immunizationrecord.gov.bc.ca and follow the instructions to submit a Certificate of Name Change or Marriage and new photo ID so their new name is reflected on their BC Vaccine Card.
* Proof of vaccination will also be required for people visiting from outside of B.C. using a provincially/territorially recognized official record alongside valid government photo ID.
* For individuals visiting from outside of Canada, they will be required show the record of vaccination from their country and their passport.
* Tickets can be issued to individuals, owners/operators of locations and event organizers for violations of the PHO orders. Enforcement is at the discretion of enforcement officers, including police, liquor and cannabis inspectors, gambling investigators and conservation officers.
* The requirement will be time limited through to Jan. 31, 2022, subject to possible extension.
View a statement from Interior Health below:
Interior Health is updating COVID-19 regional medical health officer orders to make it possible for larger events to go ahead in the Interior, as long as participants show proof of full vaccination.
“Thank you to everyone across the Interior who continues to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “However, we can’t let our guard down now. Getting vaccinated and being able to show proof of vaccination is how we can now resume some events and activities safely and with more people.”
With the introduction of the BC Vaccine Card, an update has been made to the Interior region Gatherings and Events Order:
- For smaller organized events, participants will be required to show proof of vaccination (minimum one dose) until Oct. 24, 2021. By Oct. 24, full vaccination (two doses) will be required. Indoor events may be held with up to 50 people, and outdoor events may be up to 100 people.
- Proof of full vaccination will be required for participants at all large events, consistent with Step 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan. This means indoor events may be held that include 50 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity (whichever is greater); outdoor events may include 5,000 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity (whichever is greater).
High-intensity group exercise classes in the Interior are now permitted, provided all participants and instructors are fully vaccinated with two doses. All other fitness and exercise classes require proof of a minimum of one dose of the vaccine until Oct. 24, after which time two doses will be required.
The following regional medical health officer orders remain in place across the Interior region:
- Gatherings in vacation rentals are limited to five guests or one other household.
- Outdoor personal gatherings (e.g., birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties) are limited to no more than 50 people, and indoor personal gatherings are limited to five guests or one other household.
Non-essential travel to or from the Interior remains discouraged until individuals are fully-vaccinated.
In addition, the central Okanagan Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order is now lifted, and alcohol service may resume after 10 p.m. effective today.
These measures will remain in place until Interior Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.
The Provincial Health Officer has issued an order mandating masks in public indoor settings. Details are located here.
The interval between first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses has decreased to 28 days for everyone. People can get vaccinated by dropping into any IH immunization clinic and are available here.
– Dr. Bonnie Henry – Provincial Health Officer
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