Get ready for recreation!

Sechelt, BC – September 14, 2021— On August 23, the Province verbally issued a Public Health Order (PHO) requiring proof of vaccination for some events, services and businesses starting Monday, September 13.

The order was released over the weekend and has provided further clarification on the expectations of this new PHO. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is now in a position to provide information on how this will affect recreation users.

In short – recreation users will be required to show proof of vaccinations to access some SCRD recreation activities.

Before we speak further about how this vaccine card works for recreation facilities, the SCRD would like to make the following very clear.

The SCRD is following a Provincial Health Order and our staff do not have any say in the matter. Recreation staff are doing all they can to stay up to date on the latest information coming from the Provincial Health Officer to keep everyone safe at SCRD facilities. SCRD staff have been instructed to immediately cease any conversation that turns disrespectful or abusive.

So how will proof of vaccination work at SCRD recreation facilities?
The requirement to show proof of vaccination is based on the participants age and activity they are participating in.

Vaccine Card Check Required:
All adults (22 yrs +) participating in physical activities (e.g. weight room, fitness classes, courts, adult sports in the arena)
All events/programs/activities with 50+ participants
Discretionary activities as more information and details are released by the Provincial Health Officer

Vaccine Card Not Required:
Swimming pools (including aquafit)
Public skating programs (except sports i.e. Hockey)
Happy Hearts Plus Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Youth (under 22 years) sport and recreational activities
Parents attending to drop their children off or aid in a specific program

When a recreation user is looking to access activities requiring a vaccine card check, they must show their BC Vaccine Card and a piece of corresponding I.D. These vaccine cards look different, based on whether the person is partially vaccinated or fully vaccinated. Both cards are acceptable at this time. Examples of each can be found below:

These cards may be presented on a piece of paper or on a smartphone. Staff will be confirming that the name on the vaccine card and corresponding I.D. match.

Note, that until September 26, the following documents are also acceptable alternatives to the vaccine card.
Wallet-sized immunization record card (given out at vaccine clinics)
Printed immunization record from Health Gateway
Immunization record from your pharmacy
National Defence Canada COVID-19 vaccine record or card
Provincial Immunization Registry record (used by Interior Health and others)
ImmunizeBC record (used by First Nations Health Authority and others)
Health authority immunization records:

Failure to produce a vaccine card (or listed alternatives above) and I.D. for activities requiring a vaccine card check will result in staff refusing access.

Further information from the Province on vaccine cards can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html