OCNews

The Provincial Health Officer orders regarding the BC Vaccine Card takes effect on Monday, Sept. 13. To learn more about the BC Vaccine Card and how to access yours, visit the Province’s Proof of Vaccination page. Here’s what you need to know about proof-of-vaccination at Okanagan College: 

• Okanagan College strongly encourages all members of the OC community to be vaccinated.
• As with other B.C. Colleges, proof of vaccination is not required to attend in-person classes, seminars or tutorials (including academic field trips/field work), or to access on-campus cafeterias or food service vendors. This follows the guidance of the Public Health Officer. Students in some health sciences programs and practicum placements will receive guidance directly on how to verify their proof of vaccination as required. 
• A new Provincial Health Officer (PHO) order was posted effective Sept. 9 for post-secondary institutions with student housing. 
• Students living in on-campus student housing will be required to show: 
  • Partial vaccination (one dose) by Sept. 7, 2021; and, 
  • Full vaccination (two doses) by Oct. 24, 2021. 
  • If a resident does not provide proof of vaccination by Sept. 23, 2021, the resident will be considered to be unvaccinated, and must wear a face covering which covers the resident’s nose and mouth when in any area of post-secondary housing, other than the resident’s room.
• Starting Sept. 13, some on-campus events, services and businesses will be required to check a person’s proof of vaccination for access, including: 
  • Seated dining at Infusions restaurant;  
  • fitness centres/gyms and indoor adult sports programs;  
  • indoor group exercise, recreational classes and activities;  
  • indoor ticketed events such as concerts and theatre performances;
  • organized indoor events with 50 or more people (e.g., organized parties, conferences, workshops). Team members will be provided with guidance when submitting their event safety plan if they will be required to ask attendees for proof-of-vaccination. 

If you are an employee or event organizer required to verify proof of vaccination for one of the settings/situations listed above, you can learn more and download the free BC Vaccine Card Verifier app on the Proof of Vaccination for Businesses page and review OC's BC Vaccine Card Verification Guide.