The introduction of a vaccine passport Sept. 13 has some Burnaby businesses concerned about being gatekeepers for B.C.’s vaccine program.
The proof of vaccination document will be required do things like eat at a restaurant, see a movie in the theatre or take part in a fitness class.
Residents who want to take part in those activities will need at least one vaccine dose by Sept. 13 and two by Oct. 24.
But to ensure the program works, Burnaby business owners will likely be required to check for vaccine status of their customers, something many are worried about.
“I’ve just had it with all of the restrictions,” one Burnaby restaurant owner told the NOW, adding that they didn’t want their name used for fear of backlash. “My business is on the edge of closing. I’ll never make back all of the money I’ve lost. I’m just fed up. The last ban on indoor dining I felt was unnecessary because health officials had repeatedly said few cases were linked to people eating in a restaurant. Now they want me and my staff to get yelled at some more because we have to turn people away who aren’t vaccinated. I’m all for the vaccinations, but putting some businesses in this spot is unfair.”
There are dozens of Burnaby businesses listed on a No Vax BC website for companies opposed to the proof of vaccine program, including some in the health-care field. The NOW contacted several on the list but none of the owners would confirm they weren’t going to enforce the rules.
Calling it a BC Health Pass, business owners who were willing to speak to Glacier Media said they were unvaccinated themselves and didn’t want to have to vet their customers for vaccine status.
“My thing is really just pro-choice, it’s always been that way from the beginning,” said Catalin Capota, owner of Charged Install Services.
While his automotive business can be conducted safely — without a customer standing nearby — Capota says he’s upset with the way the B.C. and federal governments have handled COVID-19.
Capota opposes mandatory vaccines for some government workers, and vaccination passports for travel and other non-essential businesses, claiming they infringe on people’s liberties.
“It’s not a health issue anymore,” said Capota, noting that while he remains unvaccinated due to safety concerns about the COVID-19 shot, he’s not against vaccines generally and has received typical inoculations.
He believes the new government policies to promote vaccination are too much of an intrusion. “They are totally infringing upon my rights of free movement,” Capota said.
Businesses that will require proof of vaccination include:
- indoor ticketed sporting events
- indoor concerts
- indoor theatre/dance/symphony events
- restaurants (indoor and patio dining)
- night clubs
- casinos
- movie theatres
- fitness centres/gyms (excluding youth recreational sport)
- businesses offering indoor high-intensity group exercise activities
- organized indoor events (e.g., weddings, parties, conferences, meetings, workshops)
- discretionary organized indoor group recreational classes and activities
However, businesses declared essential, such as grocery stores, won’t require a proof of vaccine status.
- With additional reporting by Diane Strandberg, Glacier Media
