Last Updated: September 26, 2021
BC Vaccine Card & Proof of Vaccination
The BC Vaccine Card is required to access some events, services and businesses in B.C. Starting September 13, individuals must be vaccinated with at least one dose to access these events, services, and businesses. By October 24, individuals must be fully vaccinated with two doses.
Not all businesses are required to follow the new guidelines.
Here’s a list of businesses that will be required to ask customers and clients for their BC Vaccine Card, and some specific details that will make it easier to support these local venues if you haven’t got your card or vaccine yet:
What about customers who haven’t got their card or vaccination, but still want to grab a bite or beverage?
If an unlicensed dining venue — like coffee shops or fast food restaurants — doesn’t provide table service, those without their cards can enter the premise, take their order from a main counter, and sit down to dine or drink, provided you and your party have masks. You can also support your favourite pub or restaurant by ordering take out.
The BC Vaccine Card requirement is in place until January 31, 2022 and could be extended.
Other BC Vaccine Card you and your staff should know:
Here’s some info that pertains to tourism venues and those businesses that see folks from out of town, and out of the country:
Got questions and need a quick answer? Call Service BC COVID-19 inquires + Passport Card help line
Not all businesses are required to follow the new guidelines.
Here’s a list of businesses that will be required to ask customers and clients for their BC Vaccine Card, and some specific details that will make it easier to support these local venues if you haven’t got your card or vaccine yet:
- licensed restaurants, pubs, bars and lounges
- night clubs, casinos, movie theatre
- fitness centres and adult recreational sport events
- indoor ticketed sporting events
- indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events
- organized indoor events with 50 or more people (weddings, workshops, conferences)
- retail shops
- grocery stores
- health facilities and places of worship
- libraries, museums and galleries
- service centres and dealers for automotive, hardware and building materials
- outdoor recreation destinations
What about customers who haven’t got their card or vaccination, but still want to grab a bite or beverage?
If an unlicensed dining venue — like coffee shops or fast food restaurants — doesn’t provide table service, those without their cards can enter the premise, take their order from a main counter, and sit down to dine or drink, provided you and your party have masks. You can also support your favourite pub or restaurant by ordering take out.
The BC Vaccine Card requirement is in place until January 31, 2022 and could be extended.
Other BC Vaccine Card you and your staff should know:
- Proof of vaccination needs to be confirmed every time a customer comes into your business
- That applies to all customers aged 12 and over
- You and your staff can confirm a customer’s proof of vaccination one of two ways:
(1) Visually – you can verify the person’s BC Vaccine Card on paper or on a person’s phone.
(2) With a QR Code – your business uses the BC Vaccine Verifier app to scan the QR code included on the BC Vaccine Card on the person’s phone or paper BC Vaccine Card.
(A sample of what the BC Vaccine Card looks like can be found at: gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard-businesses) - Customers 19 and over also need to show a piece of government-issued photo ID
- Businesses shouldn’t request to see an employee’s proof of vaccination as part of the BC Vaccine Card program — unless the employee is attending as a customer.
Here’s some info that pertains to tourism venues and those businesses that see folks from out of town, and out of the country:
- If a person has proof of vaccination from another province, they can use it in place of a BC Vaccine Card.
- People from other Canadian provinces or territories must show: Provincially/territoriality officially recognized vaccine record and one piece of government photo ID
- International visitors must show: 1 — Proof of vaccination they used to enter Canada (ArriveCan). And 2 — Their passport
Got questions and need a quick answer? Call Service BC COVID-19 inquires + Passport Card help line
- Text number
1-604-660-2421 - or Toll Free
1-800-663-7867
BC Chamber of Commerce Responds to Proof of Vaccination Program
Thoughts on Vaccination Passports 2021
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce surveyed local the local business industry to gain perspective on how prepared businesses are to implement vaccine mandates, check vaccine cards of their customers, and if they have enough information available to them. See the results here.
Monitor
Stay up-to-date on the evolving situation and on the nature of the virus itself, by frequently checking provincial, national and international websites. You can find updated COVID-19 information on the following websites:
World Health Organization
BC Centre for Disease Control
Office of the Provincial Health Officer
BC Gov: Health Link BC
If you have not done so already, we encourage you to follow the Comox Valley Chamber on Facebook, as this will be our quickest communication tool (@comoxvalleychamber)
World Health Organization
BC Centre for Disease Control
Office of the Provincial Health Officer
BC Gov: Health Link BC
If you have not done so already, we encourage you to follow the Comox Valley Chamber on Facebook, as this will be our quickest communication tool (@comoxvalleychamber)
Navigate COVID-19 With Resources from the Business Community
Keep Selling, In New Ways
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2020 Growers Guide + App - Be a part of the 15th annual Growers Guide and take advantage of their new app feature.
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Local Central - Apply to sell your products on shelf at London Drugs [DETAILS] + [APPLICATION]
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Time to Buy BC - A group of BC business operators have created a new campaign encouraging consumers to think about local companies who need their support and make informed buying decisions. [WEBSITE]
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A Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency: On the Road to Recovery - This Vancouver Island | Coast Business Resource Guide is intended to be a lifeline for small business owners uncertain of what to do next, how to prepare for opportunities and where to quickly get information on support and successful practices. [GUIDE]
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Need to talk to someone?
If you are a resident or business looking for more information, there are number of service lines that have been made available.
- B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service: Advisors are available Monday to Friday, 8 am - 6 pm and Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm at 1-833-254-4357
- Province of British Columbia's Non-medical COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319), available 7 days a week from 7:30AM-8:00PM
- Workplace BC Prevention Information Lines: 604 276-3100 (Lower Mainland), toll-free 1-888-621-7233 (1-888-621-SAFE) (Canada)
- Government of Canada: 1-833-784-4397 (or email phac.info.aspc@canada.ca, or review frequently asked questions)
Advocacy
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The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched a new website for the SOS (Save Our SMEs) campaign. The website features key advocacy materials and is designed to help entrepreneurs find the insights and information they need to navigate through COVID-19. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canada’s national committee for the ICC, provides a platform for our members to become involved in International Chamber of Commerce activities.
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Additional Business Resources
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Other Resources:
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