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What the BC Vaccine Card looks like

October 1, 2021

You can save the digital version to your phone or tablet or print a paper copy to carry in your wallet. Both options are accepted everywhere. 

Digital card

BC Vaccine Card on a phone and tablet

Paper card

An example of a paper BC Vaccine Card

Places proof of vaccination is required for entry

This content is a summary of the PHO order – Food and Liquor Serving Premises (PDF, 402KB) and PHO order – Gatherings and Events (PDF, 417KB) documents. It is not legal advice and does not provide an interpretation of the law. In the event of any conflict or difference between this webpage and the order, the order is correct and legal and must be followed. 

By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), proof of vaccination is required to access some events, services and businesses. You must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. By October 24, you must be fully vaccinated. The requirement is in place until January 31, 2022 and could be extended. 

The requirement applies to all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and covers:

  • Indoor ticketed sporting events with more than 50 people
  • Indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events with more than 50 people
  • Licensed restaurants and cafes and restaurants and cafes that offer table service (indoor and patio dining) 
    • Includes liquor tasting rooms in wineries, breweries or distilleries
  • Pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and patio dining)
  • Nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres
  • Gyms, exercise and dance facilities or studios 
    • Includes these activities happening in recreation facilities
  • Businesses offering indoor exercise/fitness
  • Indoor adult group and team sports for people 22 years old or older
  • Indoor organized events with more than 50 people
    • For example, wedding and funeral receptions (outside of a funeral home), organized parties, conferences, trade fairs and workshops
  • Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities with more than 50 people
    • For example, pottery studios, art classes or choir rehearsals
  • Post-secondary student housing
  • Spectators at indoor youth sporting events with more than 50 people

Examples of places that don’t require proof of vaccination

You don’t have to show proof of vaccination at places like:

  • Grocery stores, liquor stores and pharmacies
  • Unlicensed restaurants that don’t offer table service
    • For example, fast food, coffee shops, food courts, food trucks and takeout
  • Tasting rooms without seating attached to wineries, breweries or distilleries
  • Local public transportation (BC Transit, TransLink, BC Ferries)
  • Salons, hairdressers and barbers
  • Hotels, resorts, cabins and campsites
    • Does not include settings or events covered by the PHO order, for example, a licensed hotel restaurant, wedding reception or conference
    • Does not include exercise/fitness facilities for guests
  • Swimming pools and skating rinks 
    • Does not include events or adult sports hosted in these venues
  • Banks and credit unions
  • Retail and clothing stores
  • Public libraries, museums and art galleries
    • Does not include events hosted in these venues
    • Food banks and shelters
    • Escape rooms, laser tag, indoor paint ball and arcades
      • Only if they are unlicensed or don’t offer food-related table service
    • Post-secondary on-campus cafeterias
    • Airport food courts and restaurants
    • Health care services, rehabilitation or exercise therapy programs, and drug and alcohol support group meetings
    • Social services provided to people in need
    • Events like:
      • Worship services
      • Indoor youth recreational sport for people 21 years old or younger
      • Before and after school programs for K to 12 students
      • Student events and activities in K to 12 public and independent schools
      • Indoor organized events with less than 50 people, except adult sports

    Vaccination key dates

    September 13: Partially vaccinated

    You must be partially vaccinated to access some events, services and businesses.

    You’re partially vaccinated with 1 dose. 

    October 24: Fully vaccinated

    By October 24, you must be fully vaccinated to access some events, services and businesses.

    You’re fully vaccinated with 2 doses. 

    News Source: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof