Quebecers will need to show vaccine passports to access liquor, cannabis stores
CTV
Quebecers will soon need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to access liquor and cannabis stores.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé made the announcement Thursday during an update on the epidemiological situation in the province, alongside vaccination campaign director Daniel Paré and associate deputy health minister Lucie Opatrny.
"I hope this will be an additional incentive for some to go get their first dose," he said, noting the new measure will come into effect on Jan. 18. "The vaccination passport will be extended to certain non-essential commerces in the coming weeks and we'll come back with a list after we have talked to the industries."
The new rule comes as Dubé estimates at least 20,000 health care workers are currently sick with COVID 19 -- in addition to thousands more who are seeking treatment for burnout.
"We have an augmentation of the number of sick people in hospitals," he noted. "And we are losing more people every day. It's the worst combination we can have."