Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

B.C. VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Mixed reviews on vaccine requirement in Kamloops, could come to B.C. Interior sooner

Aug 23, 2021 | 4:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — The province’s new vaccine passport — requiring citizens to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 24 in order to dine out, go to the gym, or attend a sporting event or concert — is receiving mixed reviews.

While some on the streets of Kamloops think a vaccine passport is going too far, most who spoke with CFJC Today agree with the requirement.

“I’m for it. I think it’s a great idea if that’s what it takes for us back to some sense of normalcy, then I’m happy to do that,” said Kamloops resident Isha McCarthy.

Samuel Cuell added, “I think we would be okay with it. I can see why people would be hesitant about it, but I don’t see it hurting. In the end, it’s probably a good idea.”

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“I think the government has to take some kind of measures as a catalyst to convince people to do everything we can to eradicate this disease and end this pandemic,” said Shelley Kjelgren.

Kjelgren is “1,000 per cent” for the vaccine passport, but she doesn’t agree with needing one to enter a restaurant.

“That puts the onus on the staff at restaurants to check people’s passports,” she said. “I just don’t know how or if they’re going to follow through with that. I don’t think it’s very realistic.”

Blair Harper, owner of Cafe Motivo downtown, agrees with the province, but he says it’s too early to know exactly how the proof of vaccination mandate will play out.

“It’s really fresh for us to try and readjust our business plan and pivot, but essentially we need to verify the people that are here are protected. That’s what it comes down to,” said Harper. “I think that no matter what, it’s a step in the right direction to get to the end of the pandemic.”

Dr. Bonnie Henry says the laws can followed with bylaw enforcement. During the announcement on Monday (Aug. 23), Dr. Henry also says the vaccine requirements — with at least one dose required starting Sept. 13 to enter some non-essential businesses — may come to the Interior Health region earlier, given the recent COVID-19 spikes.

“We may use it as an opportunity to test some of the vaccine card initiative. We’ve been having some early conversations about that,” said Dr. Henry on Monday. “And yes, that should allow us to have some of these gatherings, events happen more safely in those areas where we already have higher transmission.”

A question for some, though, is how the province will roll out the initiative.

“There’s a great many people in our province that don’t have the technology on their hip, they don’t have the computer literacy skills to access some of these things, so the call centre is going to be critical, how seamless that is. A lot of questions that need to be answered between now and when this really comes into effect,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar.

Dr. Henry says given this is a temporary measure, there will be no exemptions for medical or religious reasons.