Quebec to end COVID-19 vaccine passport use by March 14

Quebec announced it will gradually end the use of its COVID-19 vaccine passport by March 14.

It will no longer be used for SAQ, SQDC, and large box stores as of Wednesday.

Proof of vaccination will not be required to access places of worship as of Feb. 21.

By March 14, the passport will be lifted everywhere including at CHSLDs and RPAs, restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues – when most COVID-19 restrictions are scheduled to expire.

“The vaccine passport has been, and remains, an important tool to fight the pandemic. We are withdrawing it gradually as we learn to live with the virus,” said Health Minister Christian Dubé, adding that the timing coincides with the arrival of Pfizer’s antiviral pill to treat COVID.

The government also leaving the door open to bringing the vaccine passport back should another wave require it, but you’ll still need two doses to take a plane or train in Canada if you’re over 12 – and to enter other countries as well.

“I’m just going to be very clear. You want to go to Europe this summer. You’ll have countries. They will be requiring this passport either at this duty here or there. So, the passport is there to stay in certain circumstances,” said Dubé.

Quebec’s interim public health director, Dr. Luc Boileau, explained that the passport worked and did the job that was needed. “We have clear evidence here in Quebec, because it has hired the level of vaccinated people […], right after the announcement and then after with the implementation of the vaccine passport.”

WATCH: Quebec Health Update

“If you’re going to be eliminating the requirement for mandatory vaccination for access to some of these optional services, then we’ll probably see a resulting increase in cases,” said Dr. Matthew Oughton, Infectious Diseases Division, Jewish General Hospital. “Although our ability to actually monitor and count those cases in the community in real time right now is greatly impaired.”

#WATCH: “If you're going to be eliminating the requirement for mandatory vaccination for access to some of these optional services, then we'll probably see a resulting increase in cases,” said Dr. Oughton on Quebec lifting its vaccine passport.

READ: https://t.co/zX5JSpbVSy pic.twitter.com/zGOm4Sl4Zt

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) February 15, 2022

Montrealers CityNews spoke to seem happy with Quebec’s decision to remove the vaccine passport.

“I think just, I’m tired. I also would like to not be trapped at home. I would like to go eat at a restaurant, but I think it’s too soon,” said Melinda Britton. “I think we can’t just wish it away. And I, yeah, it’s a big mistake.”

“It feels good, like you’re just free, go wherever you want, do whatever you want. Like it’s always been,” adds Samir Saheed.

“I think it’s freedom. I think personal health is important, but I think all these restrictions are like a little much,” said Matthew Nation.

#WATCH: “I think we can't just wish it away,” said Montrealer Melinda Britton about COVID-19, as Quebec scraps its vaccine passport gradually – fully lifting it by March 14.

READ: https://t.co/zX5JSpbVSy pic.twitter.com/skpgSqV4B1

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) February 15, 2022

Mask mandates will continue to be in effect until at least March 14, with more to come on that from public health as the province’s COVID situation evolves.

“Let’s be clear right now, we should be happy that we are able to withdraw the passport, because it means it’s going well,” added Dubé. “The conditions are improving. And if we can limit the measures and it’s safe to do it, I think that’s good news.”

On Tuesday, Quebec reported 56 additional deaths due to COVID-19 and 43 fewer people in hospital in the last 24 hours.