British Columbians voice concerns over mandatory digital vaccine passports checks

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — British Columbians will need to show the QR code on their vaccine passport to get access to places like restaurants and gyms starting Monday, but some residents are voicing concerns about accessibility.

As a trans person, jaye simpson says the proof of vaccination and showing their identification is outing them. They are public about being trans on social media, but worry about the risk trans people are exposed to when they show legal ID that contradicts their chosen name.

“It just increases the probability of risk,” they say. “The chances that the name and the gender marker do not fully correlate to the way I present and the name I use every day — to me it is outing. It is very much so a process of fear because I can not verify that these people are entirely safe.”

Requiring proof of vaccination attached to a personal health number can also cause difficulties for undocumented students and newcomers who don’t have one, they continue.

I have to say as a trans person, the proof of vaccination + showing ID is outing me as I can’t change my gender & name until after I get status.

— fka jaye simpson (@fka_jayesimpson) September 24, 2021

Providing a QR code can be difficult for people like Norman Rush, 73, who doesn’t have a smartphone or computer.

“I only have the old-fashioned flip phone. Now, does this necessarily mean that other people in my situation are all going to have to go out and buy smartphones?” he says.

Rush says he may have to go to a library or ask someone to help print off his vaccination passport if he doesn’t want to be stuck going through the drive-thru until the pandemic is over.

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“I have my vaccination card, but this vaccine card they talk about downloading on a smartphone — what if you don’t own a smartphone?” he asks. “I’m sure a lot of people are going to be in the same situation as me.”

British Columbians were previously able to show any proof of vaccination to enter non-essential businesses like restaurants, gyms, and theatres.

Right now, people only need proof of one vaccine, but on Oct. 24, all British Columbians need to show they’re double vaccinated.