BC Proof of Vaccination Information for Businesses

Last updated: September 7, 2021

Starting September 13, some events, services and businesses are required to check a person’s proof of vaccination for access to their venue or space. The requirements are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).

Scroll down for information on the following:

• PHO Order on Proof of Vaccination
• Verifying BC Proof of Vaccination
• Verifying Out-Of-Province Proof of Vaccination
• Download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App
• Enforcement

Visit the BC Government website for more information.

Visit our BC Proof of Vaccination Requirements page for individual-specific details.

PHO Order on Proof of Vaccination

By order of the PHO, some events, services and businesses are required to check a person’s proof of vaccination for access to their venue or space. This applies to all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+).

Starting September 13, you must verify that people have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. By October 24, you must verify that people are fully vaccinated.

Failure to follow the PHO order may result in a fine. The requirement is in place until January 31, 2022, and could be extended.

Places Proof of Vaccination is Required for Entry

Proof of vaccination will be required to access certain businesses, events, and services including:

• Indoor ticketed concerts, theatre, dance, symphony and sporting events
• Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, pubs and bars
• Nightclubs and casinos
• Movie theatres
• Gyms, pools and recreation facilities
  • Does not include youth recreational sport
• Indoor high-intensity group exercise
• Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, parties, conferences, meetings and workshops
• Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery and art
  • Does not include K to 12 schools and before and after school programs
• Post-secondary on-campus student housing. Note: Students must be partially vaccinated by September 7

Proof of vaccination will not be needed to vote in person in the September 20 federal election, or in-person at advance polling locations.

Register to get vaccinated today.

Verifying BC Proof of Vaccination

Step 1: Verify Proof of Vaccination

You have 2 options to verify proof of vaccination:

• Using the app to verify QR codes
  • Scan a customer’s QR code using the designated app. The customer will have their QR code on their phone or on a piece of paper. The app will verify their proof of vaccination:
    • Partially vaccinated (accepted September 13-October 23)
    • Fully vaccinated
• Visual Verification
  • You can perform a visual verification. On a person’s BC Vaccine Card, make sure their name and vaccination details are visible.
  • Note: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces aren’t required to get a BC Vaccine Card and you have to perform a visual verification.

Vaccine Card Transition Period to September 26

To give everyone time to get their BC Vaccine Card, up to and including September 26, people can show other forms of proof of vaccination:

Step 2: Review ID

After verifying proof of vaccination, you must also review ID. By reviewing ID, you match the name listed on the BC Vaccine Card or another form of proof of vaccination with the person you’re verifying.

You don’t need to check ID for youth aged 12 to 18.

Accepted forms of valid government photo ID, for example:

• B.C. driver’s licence or BC Services Card
• Passport

Some people may have their legal name on their vaccine card and a preferred or common name on their ID. You may also ask for a secondary piece of ID and use discretion.

Verifying Out-Of-Province Proof of Vaccination

You may have people who aren’t from B.C. accessing your events, services and businesses. They must follow the same requirements and provide proof of vaccination and ID.

Follow the same 2 steps, verify proof of vaccination and review ID for a name match.

People from Other Provinces or Territories

People from other Canadian provinces or territories must show:

• Provincially/territorially officially recognized vaccine record
• Valid government photo ID

A printable document that includes all Canadian proof of vaccination records will be available soon.

International Visitors

International visitors must show:

• Proof of vaccination they used to enter Canada (like ArriveCAN)
• Passport

Download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App

Starting September 13, you can download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier app. The app is free to download and works on smartphones and tablets.

It will be available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Operating requirements:

• Apple iOS 11 or greater
• Android 8.1 or greater

How to Use the App

With an internet connection, download the app to your device. You can download the app on multiple devices. You must allow the app to access your device camera.

After you’ve finished downloading, you can continue to use the app offline. No internet connection is required to scan QR codes.

A QR code is the square-shaped image and is a type of bar code that can be read by a digital device. B.C. is using the SMART Health Card QR code format, a requirement of the federal government. This means the QR code only stores the absolute minimum level of information and is not connected to other health records.

Enforcement

Businesses and organizations that do not comply with the PHO order may issued a violation ticket.

Depending on the violation, individuals could be subject to a $230 or $575 violation ticket. Owners, operators and event organizers could be subject to a $2300 violation ticket.

Enforcement is at the discretion of enforcement officers, including police, liquor and cannabis inspectors, gambling investigators and conservation officers.