By Oli Herrera

PREPARING FOR MANDATE

Businesses prepare for proof of vaccination mandate

Aug 24, 2021 | 4:53 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—With the upcoming proof of vaccination mandate, some restaurants like The Twisted Cork are breathing a sigh of relief knowing that the government is calling the shots. However, with the resources necessary to verify vaccinations and with the mask mandate coming into effect on wednesday, it’s also raising concerns.

The mandate was a decision made after months of pleas for solutions from industries throughout the province. Including this two page letter, signed off by 10 industries, such as BC Restaurants and Foodservices Association and the Tourism Industry Association of BC, asking for proof of vaccination to keep businesses open.

“We’re very supportive of the government implementing that measure and introducing the orders, or regulations, or directives around that,” said Walt Judas, CEO of Tourim Industry Association of BC.

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In that letter, the industries made it clear: they want the government to make the calls and not to leave it up to businesses to decide who comes in and who doesn’t.

“We really can’t be in a position to enforce it, so it has to be a system where by proof of vaccination it’s easy to identify, that’s typically electronically. It’s has to be an order or very clear directives by government. It can’t be left up to the employee or employer to enforce.” said Judas.

Which is what the new mandate did.

However, owner Troy McKenzie of The Twisted Cork says there’s still work to be done on his end.

“It still falls back on us a little bit, it seems like the hospitality industry is sort of one-step forward, two steps back,” said McKenzie.

Right now, the government has only announced that digital proof of vaccination will be available to the public.

“Somebody could forget their phone and they want to come for a beer and burger, and they live 20 minutes out of town. It’s a little frustrating that that will be necessary to do that,” said McKenzie.

In case that happens, businesses can contact a call centre.

“I don’t think that we’d want to phone at the front of the pub; having people phone to verify. It’s also more labour-intensive for our staff,” said McKenzie.

Wednesday’s mask mandate will also force owners like McKenzie to purchase more masks for his workers and customers. While he wants everyone to be safe, the lack of notice is making it difficult to prepare.

“It’s difficult to tell your staff, it’s also difficult to tell the customers that this is mandated and these are the rules, and they changed back. Lots of people are confused by the continuing changes to the rules,” said McKenzie

He says he’s relieved that he won’t have to shut his doors anytime soon and that people can enjoy his business safely. He just wishes there was more clarity from the province.