Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

VACCINE CARDS

Kamloops restaurants navigating first week of proof of immunization protocols

Sep 14, 2021 | 5:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — Proof of immunization is now required for many non-essential services and businesses, and some local restaurants say so far there have been minimal issues.

Leadership at the Noble Pig Brewhouse say in consideration of their 80 employees, and to avoid any potential fines, they’re following the latest provincial health orders.

Operations Manager and Partner Maeghan Summers says they’ve spent the first few days answering questions about the new protocols.

“We had a lot of inquiries yesterday and today with regards to, what are the rules, what are the regulations, what do I need to do? And we’ve had some pretty angry guests on the phone, and we’re just reminding them to direct their concerns to the right channels and to make sure they’re sharing their concerns to those that can actually hear and address those concerns.”

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According to Summers, the vaccine card scanning app has been working smoothly, alongside visual checks. At the downtown restaurant and brew pub, checking for vaccine cards is similar to what is already done in establishments that serve alcohol.

“This process is the exact same way; we’re just asking for a different documentation and then a second piece of ID.” Summers notes. “No different than we would if we were asking when you’d come sit on the pub side. And just approaching it that way has made our guests feel really understanding, welcome, and I hope that in the next few weeks we transition smoothly, and we get on to the other side where we don’t need this.”

Noble Pig, and others who provide dining out experiences hope the community, will view the cards as a way to keep restaurants open after a myriad of closures and restrictions changes.

“For us, we are just trying to adhere to another provincial health order that has come out. We’ve had 18 months of rolling with the punches, and for us we look at it and go, ‘we have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of our team and just keep everybody feeling comfortable in their workspace.”

While the first two days of vaccine card checks have gone relatively well, Summers adds that the true test will be during peak hours on Friday and Saturday this week.