By Richard Zussman, Global News with files from CKPG Today

COVID-19

B.C. becomes second province to require proof of vaccination, starting Sept. 13

Aug 23, 2021 | 1:21 PM

British Columbia announced Monday that it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for people attending certain social and recreational events.

One dose of vaccine will be required for entry as of Sept. 13.

By Oct. 24, officials said entry will require people to be fully vaccinated at least seven days after receiving both doses.

In the interim, in areas where community transmission is increased significantly or where there are outbreaks, the requirements to be fully vaccinated may be required at the direction of the local medical health officer.

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“Vaccines are our ticket to putting this pandemic behind us,” Premier John Horgan said.

“So I call on all eligible unvaccinated British Columbians to roll up their sleeves to stop the spread, and help protect themselves, their loved ones and the people in their community.”

Here is a full list of where vaccine will be required:

• Indoor ticketed sporting events
• Indoor concerts
• Indoor theatre/dance/symphony events
• Restaurants (indoor and patio dining)
• Night clubs
• Casinos
• Movie theatres
• Fitness centres/gyms (excluding youth recreational sport)
• Businesses offering indoor high-intensity group exercise activities
• Organized indoor events (eg. weddings, parties, conferences, meetings, workshops)
• Discretionary organized indoor group recreational classes and activities
• Individuals will be able to confidentially access their proof of vaccination through a secure website. A weblink will be provided and publicized widely before Sept. 13. To access proof of vaccination an individual will need:
• name, date of birth. personal health number (PHN)
  Individuals will be able to save a copy of their proof of vaccination to their phone to show when entering or using designated businesses and events. A second, secure option will be provided for people who cannot access their proof of vaccination online through a call-in centre (call centre details to be made public in coming days).
• Individuals will show proof of vaccination in the settings listed in the PHO order, alongside valid government ID.

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 ID from the jurisdiction. For individuals visiting from outside of Canada, they will be required to show their proof of vaccination used to enter the country and their passport.

The measures will be time limited through to Jan. 31, 2022, subject to possible extension.

The measures set out above do not apply to K-12 schools (public and independent) and before-and-after school programs for students. Student-only events and activities within K-to-12 public and independent schools and before and after school programs are excluded from providing a proof of vaccine as they will be covered by specific guidelines for school and child care settings. Guidance for these settings related to students will be provided in the coming days. The measures do apply to large indoor events (theatre, concerts) attended by parents, family and/or the public.

The measures set out above will, as relevant, apply to post-secondary campuses. Student housing will be a part of the public health order identifying where proof of vaccination is required and will be in effect for Sept. 7. Further guidance for these settings related to students will be developed in the coming days in consultation with public health, including which types of student housing facilities will be included.

Today’s announcement came as 1,711 new cases of the virus were detected in B.C. over the weekend, including 100 in the Northern Health region.

Here’s the breakdown:

* Aug. 20-21: 724 new cases

* Aug. 21-22: 545 new cases

* Aug. 22-23: 442 new cases

There are 5,056 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 153,627 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 133 individuals are in hospital and 80 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

* 419 new cases in Fraser Health
* Total active cases: 1,194

* 290 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
* Total active cases: 1,223

* 768 new cases in Interior Health
* Total active cases: 1,930

* 100 new cases in Northern Health
* Total active cases: 298

* 133 new cases in Island Health
* Total active cases: 401

* one new case of a person who resides outside of Canada
* Total active cases: 10

In the past 72 hours, 16 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,801.

As of today, 83.2% (3,856,248) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 74.9% (3,473,215) received their second dose.