COVID-19: Federal vaccine passport now available in B.C.
The federal government’s recently announced vaccine passport is now available to all British Columbians, just as Canada’s new vaccination rules for travel came into effect.
Everyone 12 years of age or older will now need to be fully vaccinated in order to board domestic or international flights departing from most Canadian airports , cruise ships or VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains.
Two doses of any federally approved COVID-19 vaccines, with the second dose administered at least 14 days before travel, are required to be considered fully vaccinated.
Ottawa has said there will be a one-month grace period during which B.C.’s vaccine card will be accepted as proof of vaccination. Canadians will also have the option of providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test instead of a vaccine passport during the grace period. The negative test results and the provincial card will only be accepted until Nov. 30.
Just like B.C.’s vaccine card, the new federal proof of vaccination can be accessed through the provincial Health Gateway , the Ministry of Health’s web service, by calling 1-833-838-2323 or in person at most Service B.C. offices .
“The federal card can be accessed in the same way as the B.C. vaccine card, which 3.7 million British Columbians have downloaded to enjoy non-essential activities throughout our province, such as dining in restaurants or attending a sporting event,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a statement. “By ensuring all of us are fully vaccinated, we can do more with the people we love, safely.”
British Columbians looking to download a copy of the federal vaccine card via the Health Gateway will need three pieces of information: their personal health number, date of birth and the date they received either their first or second vaccine dose.
