School sports hoping for return to play even if it requires vaccine passport

MONTREAL (CityNews) – Quebec’s planned vaccine passport is going to find itself being used for high school extracurricular activities deemed high-risk. Exactly which activities have yet to be determined, as the government says an announcement is coming soon.

Many in the school sports community say they’re open to whatever keeps students playing and safe.

“I just hope that they let the kids play they need that. And if it goes to the passport maybe let’s go for that,” said Gregory Pilorge, head coach, volleyball and high school gym teacher.

“We were very disappointed last year. What happened last year with no sports. But we understood it was for the safety of all,” said Stéphane Boudreau, director-general with RSEQ.

Public health is emphasizing normality will come with more vaccinations. To date, 85.1 per cent of Quebecers are inoculated with at least one dose or have taken their first appointment, 73.5 per cent have two shots. In Montreal, six out of 10 teens still needs to get their second dose.

“There’s still a problem and you have to get your vaccine and if you want to do sports. Have to be completely safe,” said Ethan Rooney, a grade 8 student-athlete. “It’s also about not just the players, but also about the family of the players, and also coaches and staff that put a lot of hard work. If there’s an outbreak I don’t want [to be] going home and giving it to their little sister who isn’t maybe vaccinated, too young, and can get really sick or an older grandparent.”

Quebec’s vaccine passport will take shape in digital and physical forms – with a QR code either on an app or on a piece of paper that will be scanned using another app. It’ll light up green to indicate the person is vaccinated.

“The hurdle is going to be how it’ll be managed. Is it going to be time-consuming? How they’re going to do it? What are going to be the guidelines? What is the guidelines? Proof of vaccination? What happens when a student-athlete forgets his or her QR code?” asked Boudreau.

“If it’s every game, it’s kind of like a hockey stick. You wouldn’t forget your hockey stick,” said Rooney.

Quebec’s education ministry told CityNews in a statement:

“The exact methods relating to the vaccine proof necessary to participate in certain activities will be specified shortly, in collaboration with public health.

“Earlier this week Quebec’s junior health minister [said] that the more students will be vaccinated, the fewer activities will be regulated,” she added.

“They changed the rules so many times during the last year,” said Pilorge “I will not be surprised if something comes up and we cannot practice the sport again so. I’m patient. I hope we can play.”