What you can and can’t do without a vaccine passport

On Sept. 28, the B.C. government website provided an updated list of businesses and services that require proof of vaccination via a vaccine passport.

Services that a vaccine passport, according to the website, include indoor ticketed sporting events with more than 50 people, as well as indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events with more than 50 people licensed restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and lounges that offer table service for both indoor and outdoor dinning require proof of vaccination as well.

Also on the list are gyms, exercise and dance facilities or studios, nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres and indoor adult group and team sports for people 22 years of age or older.

Indoor organized events with more than 50 people also require a vaccine passport, for example, wedding and funeral receptions, organized parties, conferences, trade fairs and workshops. Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities with more than 50 people require a vaccination passport as well. Examples of this are pottery studios, art classes or choir rehearsals

Spectators at indoor youth sporting events with more than 50 people will also need a vaccine passport.

You don’t have to show proof of vaccination at places like; grocery stores, liquor stores, pharmacies, or unlicensed restaurants that don’t offer table service such as fast food, coffee shops, food courts, food trucks and takeout.

As for local public transportation, you do not need a vaccine passport to access B.C. transit or B.C. ferries.

Also on the list of services that don’t require a passport are salons, hairdressers and barbers, swimming pools and skating rinks, banks and credit unions, food banks and shelters, post-secondary on-campus cafeterias, airport food courts and restaurants and retail and clothing stores.

Hotels, resorts, cabins do not require a vaccine passport either, however, this does not include settings or events covered by the provincial health officer’s order, for example, licensed hotel restaurants, wedding receptions, conferences or exercise facilities for guests.

Public libraries, museums and art galleries do not require a vaccine passport, however this doesn’t include events hosted at these venues

You do not need a vaccine passport for social services provided to people in need such as health care services, physio therapy and drug and alcohol support group meetings. Worship services, indoor youth recreational sport for people 21 years of age or younger, before and after school programs for K to 12 students, student events and activities in K to 12 public and independent schools, and indoor organized events with less than 50 people except for adult sports all do not require a vaccine passport.

Proof of at least one dose of the vaccination is mandatory to access service requiring vaccine passports, and beginning on Oct. 24, proof of both vaccinations will be required.