What’s a restaurant? Lack of clarity ahead of B.C. vaccine passport raises concerns
Posted September 1, 2021 6:19 am.
Last Updated September 1, 2021 6:20 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – We’re less than two weeks away from B.C.’s COVID-19 vaccine passport launch, and yet many unknowns still remain, including where exactly the card will be required.
One concern that’s been raised is around what exactly constitutes a “restaurant,” and whether fast food joints or coffee shops fall under that category.
When asked to clarify, B.C.’s Health Ministry was only able to say that more details would be provided in the coming days.
Starting Sept. 13, proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 shot will be required at restaurants and certain other businesses, services, and events in B.C. The quickly approaching timeline doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for owners and managers to get ready for that change.
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Ian Tostenson, president of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, says members have asked the province for more information sooner than later.
“It does appear that if you just go in and go out to get your order, you will not require a vaccine passport or certificate. But if you hang out and go in there, then maybe you will. We don’t understand that yet,” he explained.
“There’s always the opportunity that you go in to get a coffee and decide to sit down. So does that constitute a restaurant meal?”
Concerns around vaccine passports have been raised since the province announced its plans last month to introduce a system amid rising infections. Concerns include those for the most vulnerable, with some wondering what impact this plan will have on those without shelter and ID.
Quebec, which was the first province to announce its intention for bringing in a vaccine passport, launched its new system on Wednesday. In that province, proof of vaccination is needed for places like fast food restaurants.
The Quebec government’s new vaccine passport called VaxiCode is shown on a phone in Montreal, Wednesday, August 25, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Clear rules, signs
In addition to clarity around which businesses will require proof of vaccination for entry, Tostenson says members want to make sure the province has a communications campaign ready, adding the association is pushing government to ensure businesses have “exceptional signage.”
That signage would tell guests that these businesses are complying with a provincial health order, he explains.
“The concern that we have is people showing up and they’re not prepared or they’re unaware, so they need to know before they come that, yes, they can use their smart phones, they can download their certificate before they come. I think it won’t be a problem if we’re organized. If we try to do this the night before it’s going to be a disaster,” Tosteson explained.
Related video: Concerns raised over B.C. vaccine card enforcement
Questions remain about how businesses will handle unruly customers who may choose to challenge the new system, though Tostenson believes they will be few.
He says he also knows there will be businesses that may choose to defy the new rules, and hopes they will be addressed.
“I think the industry is really concerned about our integrity. You know, 99 per cent of the businesses in our sector, we understand our obligations to do this and will do a good job, but there are businesses out there that are not going to comply for whatever reason, and it’s imperative the government takes a hard line with them. We can’t just have them opening and not under the same strict requirements,” Tostenson said.
Related video: B.C. vaccine passport concerns rise as card launch nears
“The idea here: we want to get people vaccinated, we want to get COVID behind us as quickly as we can. So we all have to be very disciplined.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix has said people who choose to flout COVID-19 vaccine passport rules will face consequences, though he has not yet said what fines or sanctions there will be.
His comments came days after the premier said people who become belligerent or aggressive over the card requirement can expect the same response as anyone behaving badly at a business.
The province has also not been explicit in how it will deal with businesses that choose not to ask customers for proof of vaccination.
“This is not just a recommendation — these are health orders that our industry has been so good at making sure that we do all the things that we have to do to stay open. For someone to ignore a health order because they don’t believe in it, I just think that’s not going to help the situation at all,” Tostenson said.
He says the province has pulled business and liquor licences in the past when businesses refused to comply with COVID-19 orders requiring them to close.
The specifics on B.C.’s vaccine passport system will be outlined in the coming days.
