Over the past year business owners across B.C. have continued to help fight the spread of COVID-19, and with the introduction of the new B.C. vaccine card businesses will be able to stay open and continue to serve their customers with a much lower risk of potential transmission. So let's dive in and find out everything you need to know as a business owner about the new B.C. vaccine card.
1. Who is required to get the card?
Beginning September 13, 2021 all B.C. residents above the age of 12 will be required to provide proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to access certain businesses, events, or recreational/social gatherings. On October 24, 2021, only fully vaccinated individuals will be permitted entry to these venues.
2. What Businesses and Organizations are Required to Check Customers’ Proof of Vaccination?
- Organized indoor events with 50+ people.
- Restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, and lounges.
- Indoor concerts, shows, and events.
- Nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres
- Gyms, and exercise facilities
- Sporting events
- Post-secondary student housing
- Organized group recreational activities
Events, businesses and services will ask to see your proof of vaccination and valid government ID, and this requirement is in place until January 31, 2022, subject to change.
3. How Do I Get a B.C. Vaccine Card?
The B.C. Vaccine Card is accessible to everyone and easily available on the B.C. Government’s website. You will be prompted to input your personal health number, date of birth, and date of vaccination.
The website will produce a unique QR code, which can be saved to a smartphone to show, along with photo ID, when entering a business or venue on the B.C. Vaccine Card list.
4. How Can Businesses Prepare for the B.C. Vaccine Card?
The businesses that fall under the category of needing verification are responsible for scanning the B.C. Vaccine Card for those looking to enter their space. Whether you dedicate a staff member, or have a security team, your business is responsible to look at a customers vaccine card, confirming they are vaccinated, before confirming the individual’s identity via another piece of government-issued ID.
Businesses have two options to verify the B.C. Vaccine Card:
- Visual Confirmation: The business looks at the customers' B.C. Vaccine Card to confirm name and proof of vaccination.
- QR Code: The business scans the QR code included in the BC Vaccine Card to confirm proof of vaccination.
Here are the steps for a business that chooses to scan customers’ QR codes:
Vaccine Verifier app:
- Step 1 – Download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier application from Google Play Store or Apple App store and enable camera access.
- Step 2 – Scan the customer’s paper or digital copy of the BC Vaccine Card QR code.
- Step 3 – Check proof of vaccination and validate name with government issued photo identification if 19+.
When the QR code registers, it will display one of three results: vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or no record found.
5. What Happens if a Visitor is Refusing to Provide B.C. Vaccine Card Information?
If a customer refuses to provide your business with a B.C. vaccine card, you as a business have the right to refuse service to people who aren’t abiding by the Provincial Health Order.
Find Out More Information
Be sure to refer to the BC Government website for any further information.