Proof-of-vax QR code goes live in Alberta

CALGARY — A proof of vaccination app is now available for download in Alberta.

After the app was spotted on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, Premier Jason Kenney made it official during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update.

WATCH: Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Jason Copping provide an update on COVID-19 in Alberta.

“There is no need to create an account. All you need to do is enter your Alberta Health card number. When a valid QR code is scanned a green checkmark will verify the proof of vaccination. It’s that easy for businesses and Albertans participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP),” Kenney said.

The app will be free and will not store any personal information.

The new verification app can be found on your phone’s app store, or by heading to the government’s website.

Kenney says the new QR code verifier app will be in addition to the REP implementation grant that his government announced last week, which is a $2,000 payment available to businesses to help offset the costs of implementing participating in this program.

“And the REP training grant is also providing funding to businesses to help train their staff on how to safely and professionally recoup or request proof of vaccination,” said Kenney.

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Kenney says the Alberta version of the COVID-19 vaccine passport will be in place until at least the early months of next year.

He says while the passport is helping reduce case numbers, the next few months will be critical as winter comes and people head indoors.

About 85 per cent of eligible Albertans have now had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

That’s up from 78 per cent a month ago.

– With files from the Canadian Press