Tomorrow (Oct. 24), if you want to see a movie, catch a hockey game or attend a concert, you need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Up until now, since the B.C. vaccine card program took effect Sept. 13, eligible residents aged 12 years and older have only needed at least one dose against the virus to get into what are called "discretionary" events and businesses.
Now, two jabs of a vaccine will be required as organized events are set to allow full capacity crowds on Monday (Oct. 25) in parts of the province where vaccination rates are high — including communities like Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
Patrons to show their proof-of-vaccination and a piece of ID to access non-essential places like restaurants with liquor and/or table service, indoor weddings with more than 50 people, movie theatres, casinos, indoor exercise and fitness businesses, indoor ticketed sporting events and other settings.
In a QR code format, the digital vaccine card can be downloaded to a mobile device or it can be printed out for a hard copy.
The province says businesses can scan people's vaccine card QR code using the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App from the Google Play and Apple App stores, or they can “visually verify the person's proof of vaccination.”
For more information on where a vaccine card is needed and to download one, you can visit the B.C. government's vaccine card page.
TRI-CITY VACCINATION UPDATE
As of Friday (Oct. 22), the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reporting a combined double-vaccination average of 86 per cent for the Tri-Cities, which is tied for the fourth-highest rate in all of Fraser Health.
This marks a three per cent bump in two doses jabbed in eligible residents aged 12 years and older since the province ended its two-week grace period for residents to use their COVID-19 immunization card on Sept. 27.
There's currently a 90.2 per cent average rate for one dose of a vaccine against the virus, a 1.5 per cent increase in one month.
Southwest Coquitlam and Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra lead all five local sub-regions with 87 per cent double- and 91 per cent single-vaccination rates.
Meanwhile, local health area COVID-19 cases are continuing to trend downward in the Tri-Cities with 114 recorded between Oct. 10 and 16, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
This marks a 10 per cent drop compared to the previous count of 127 between Oct. 3 and 9, which is calculated via the Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence data.
The new number returns the region to a four-week low when 111 were found between Sept. 12 and 18.
There are no pop-up vaccine clinics currently on Fraser Health's schedule for the Tri-Cities, but it's ongoing mass COVID-19 immunization clinic is still taking walk-ins.
It's located at the Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot, where first, second and third doses are available as capacity and supplies allow.
B.C.'s GetVaccinated portal is also sending appointment invitations for eligible immuno-compromised residents seeking a third jab by phone, text or email to those eligible, and it must be at least four weeks apart from the second dose.
The Central Station site's operating hours are as follows
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. = Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- Entrance off Mariner Way – east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
A full eligibility list for those looking for a third vaccine dose is available on the BCCDC's website.
