B.C. vaccine passport requirement dropped

You no longer have to show proof of vaccination to enter places like restaurants, bars, movie theatres, and other indoor venues in B.C.

The B.C. Vaccine Card requirement was lifted as of Friday as part of the province’s rolling COVID-19 recovery plan.

The vaccine passport was brought in last September in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. It was the last main pandemic protection measure in B.C.

People are being reminded that some businesses, events, and services may still require proof of vaccination for entry, if they so choose. The province says “it’s important that we respect the choices of people, businesses and one another,” similar to choices around masking.

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In addition to scrapping the BC Vaccine Card, the remainder of the Workplace Safety Order has also expired. That means businesses are now transitioning back to communicable disease plans, as opposed to pandemic-specific safety plans.

People living in student residences are also no longer required to be fully vaccinated as part of the easing of measures Friday.

At the end of March, B.C. Premier John Horgan assured people the province was ready to lift remaining restrictions. That was despite case counts slowly rising and testing numbers being down significantly from where they were months ago.

Horgan said March 31 that he feeling confident in how things will go once remaining protections were eased.

“For those who are still concerned, I get that. And I appeal to those who are not to have respect for those who are still taking the steps to be comfortable in our civil society and getting back out into public again,” Horgan explained.

The premier tested positive for COVID-19 on April 4.

Meanwhile, though virtually all pandemic health orders have lifted in B.C., Canadians are reminded that rules remain in place federally.

Proof of vaccination is still required to travel within and outside of Canada.

Travellers are reminded that masks are also required in airports.