B.C. extends vaccine passport system through June 2022
British Columbia residents will need to bring their vaccine card with them through to the end of June if they want to access indoor spaces, restaurants or most events, says the provincial health officer.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday the vaccine card is specifically designed to mitigate the risks of spreading COVID-19, allowing certain businesses and activities to remain open.
“As we move through this period, it will, I expect, no longer be necessary,” Henry told a news conference. “But right now, it is one of those important tools that we have.”
B.C.'s vaccine card, which shows proof of vaccination for those 12 years and older, will be needed until June 30.
The vaccine card will not show whether a person has received their booster dose because most are not eligible for it yet, she added.
The province's vaccine card program went into effect Sept. 13 and was set to expire Jan. 31. A second dose of the vaccine was made a requirement to access most places starting Oct. 24.
Friday will mark the two-year anniversary since the first reported COVID-19 case in B.C. and briefing by the province, Henry said.
“As our pandemic evolves and Omicron brings these new challenges, we have evolved our pandemic response.”
While the number of COVID-19 infections is dipping, she said hospitalizations are at the highest point of the pandemic.
“We do know that even now with Omicron, some people are at much greater risk of hospitalization and severe illness, and we need to bear that in mind as we make these changes,” she said.
The province reported 1,446 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, although officials have said the actual numbers may be up to five times higher because B.C. has reached its testing capacity.
There are 32,468 active cases, with 985 in hospital and 144 in intensive care, said a news release from the Health Ministry.
Henry also announced that starting Feb. 1, youth sports tournaments can resume, while those for adults remain on hold.
Sports are needed for youth for their growth, development and future opportunities, she said.
“We have always prioritized making sure that young people are able to access that part of these important aspects of their life,” she said in reply to a question about why she's given the go-ahead for the tournaments.
“There are timing limits for things like university scholarships that become important.”
Henry noted that long-term care and assisted living facilities have also seen a “sharp increase” in number of COVID-19 infections.
There are 63 health-care facilities, many of them long-term care, in the province that have COVID-19 outbreaks. But a combination of vaccines, booster doses and other health guidelines have reduced the risk of severe illness and death, she said.
“We are working very closely with long-term care homes to make sure that we can continue to have designated visitors for every resident.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Leonardo DiCaprio criticizes Ottawa over B.C. salmon farms
Salmon farms have long been a point of contention between environmentalists and fish farmers in British Columbia, but a much bigger net is now being cast on the topic.
Flight from Israel to New Jersey diverted to New York state due to high winds, turbulence
High winds and turbulence have forced a United Airlines flight from Israel to be diverted from its destination of Newark Airport in New Jersey to Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, N.Y..
Vancouver rapper falls on ice during Canucks game performance
The Vancouver Canucks weren’t the only ones who stumbled during Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Manhattan DA suggests Donald Trump violated gag order with post about daughter of hush-money trial judge
Manhattan prosecutors suggested Friday that Donald Trump violated a gag order in his hush-money criminal case this week by assailing the judge's daughter and making a false claim about her on social media.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.