On September 18th organizers reported nearly 8,000 protesters gathered to stand against vaccine passports as part of the “Worldwide Freedom Rally” that took place in over a hundred cities across the globe.
Jason Kenney, Alberta’s premier recently instituted a vaccine passport system in the province after previously saying it was not in the cards and likely illegal.
Under the vaccine passport system — which the government is calling the Restrictions Exemption Program — the government is requiring all vaccine-eligible individuals to provide government-issued proof of immunization or a negative privately paid COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours to access a variety of participating social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province.
This standard is slightly less authoritarian than Ontario’s vaccine passport system, which does not even recognize negative COVID-19 tests anymore.
Under the vaccine passport systems, all businesses and facilities which choose to implement the system will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Businesses which implement the system will not be subject to restrictions as those who choose not to but are asked to discriminate against the unvaccinated.
Between September 20 and October 25, which is considered a “transitional period,” having only a single dose of vaccine will count as being fully vaccinated.
Documentation of a medical exemption from vaccination will also be accepted instead of proof of vaccination to enter facilities operating under the vaccine passport system.
Those under age 12 do not need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test.
The vaccine passport system does not apply to businesses or entities that need to be accessed for daily living, such as hospitals, grocery stores, health offices, etc.
Printable vaccine cards will be available on September 19 and can be accessed through MyHealth Records. A QR code will later replace this card.
