Alberta businesses frustrated with lack of provincial vaccine passport

CALGARY – Some Alberta businesses are increasingly frustrated with the provincial government’s reluctance to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine passport program.

Quebec, B.C., Ontario, and Manitoba will all require proof of vaccination to access restaurants, bars, and sports events.

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But Alberta’s United Conservative government has so far declined to bring in a vaccine passport.

The province leads the country in COVID-19 cases and only 70 per cent of Albertans are fully vaccinated.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce says a vaccine passport is urgently needed to keep the economy open and prevent further lockdowns.

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Ernie Tsu, the owner of Calgary’s Trolley 5 brewpub, says he supports a vaccine passport if it will enable the hospitality industry to operate without restrictions.

The Alberta government has ordered restaurants and bars to stop serving liquor by 10 p.m. in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.