The Executive Director of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association says while it is still early on in the process, B.C.’s COVID vaccine cards are having the desired effect.

Carl DeSantis says it is helping restore confidence among Kamloopsians knowing that everyone around you in a restaurant or a movie theatre is also vaccinated.

“Are there going to be challenges, of course there are. Every part of navigating this COVID response has been a challenge for everybody,” he said, while on the NL Morning News.

“But you know what? When they introduced seat belts…that was a challenge. When they introduced mandatory helmets for motorcycles…that was a challenge. So we get over it. It is just what you do.”

As of today, Sept. 27, people in B.C. will have to show their vaccine card at certain businesses and recreational events as that will be the only acceptable proof of vaccination from here on out. A two week transition period where people could present their vaccine records from when they got immunized expired Sunday.

With some exceptions – like Kamloops Blazers games – people need to have at least one dose of a vaccine to go to a restaurant or a movie. They will need be fully vaccinated by Oct. 24 to access all “non-essential” businesses as listed here.

“I can’t wait to get back to the rink and I want to do so without a mask so that I can yell and scream and cheer and really get back to what I enjoy, and that is hockey, sports, and I’m hearing the same feedback from every body I talk to,” DeSantis added. “For everybody out there with the card already, for everybody out there who’s got the double vax, you get what we’re saying right now.”

“And it is just to restore confidence and safety so that when you go to a restaurant, you know that when you’re sitting down there, you don’t have to worry about who that guy is beside you and you’re going to be safe.”

Health Minister Adrian Dix says more than three million British Columbians have already downloaded their vaccine card to their mobile device or printed a copy.

“The smartest, safest, and soundest decision right now for everyone eligible is to get vaccinated. We encourage all British Columbians to get their shot and download their BC Vaccine Card today,” he said, in a statement.

While there have been some people opposed to the COVID vaccine, data from the government shows others have been rolling up their sleeves and getting vaccinated since the announcement of vaccine cards.

As of Friday, 80 per cent of British Columbians over the age of 12 (3,709,554 people) are now fully vaccinated while while 87.5 per cent of people over the age of 12 (4,053,738) have at least one dose of the vaccine.

“Getting vaccinated is the most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from COVID-19,” Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said. “It’s an important step to help put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us.”