From team sports to aquatic parks, Quebec extends reach of vaccine passport

The Quebec government is pushing ahead witha vaccine passport Sept. 1 barring people who aren't fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from visiting restaurants, taverns and playing organizedteam sports.

The passport will be required for a host of other activities announced Tuesday, ranging from paint ball and movie theatres to aquatic parks and zoos.A full list is available here, in French.

Health Minister Christian Dub said the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the growing presence of the more dangerous delta variant made the passport system necessary.

The passport an electronic record of vaccinationin the form of a quick response (QR) code has already been tested at a handful of establishments across the province andDub said it proved to be functional and effective.

WATCH| Vaccine passport represents freedom, health minister says:

Vaccine passports represent freedom for majority of Quebecers, Dub says

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Health Minister Christian Dub says the new system, starting Sept. 1, will mean most people won't lose access to non-essential services during the fourth wave.

"The vaccine passport is a balance we have found in keeping our economy open while protecting the population," Dub told a news conference Tuesday.

"With the vaccine and the passport, we want to avoid closing businesses and banning activities."

The vaccine passport is the first of its kind to be announced in Canada. British Columbiaoutlined a similar plan earlier this week.

The mobile app will be available for download starting Aug. 25.

Delta variant made passport necessary, Dubsays

Despite a rising vaccination rate (86 per cent of Quebec's eligible population has now received a first dose, and 77 per cent two doses), Dub noted that cases have climbed more this month than at the same time a year ago.

There have been more than 7,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in August 2021, compared to roughly 2,000 last year.

The number of hospitalizations has also climbed, though not as quickly as a year ago, given the arrival of vaccines. Dub said the emergence of the delta variant made the passport necessary.

"The delta variant, as we know, is gaining ground and will soon become the main stream of the virus," he said.

When asked whether he is worried about a wave of protests over the passport system, Dub said the high level of vaccination among the public suggests most people are on board.