N.S. proof-of-vaccination policy gets soft launch at sports events

Nova Scotia's proof-of-vaccination policy kicks off Monday. It starts an indefinite period during which access to most non-essential services will be off limits to anyone eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 who opts against it.

Staff at restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, museums and a long list of other venues will have to ask visitors to show they're fully vaccinated, and show a valid ID that matches their vaccine documents. 

Hockey fans in Sydney and Halifax got an early taste of the system this weekend at Centre 200 and the Scotiabank Centre, respectively, where attendees were asked at the door for proof of vaccination along with their tickets.

Paul MacDonald, the general manager of Centre 200, said he brought in a few extra security staff to help with vaccine screening, and opened doors 30 minutes earlier than usual before Friday night's home opener for the Cape Breton Eagles.

"Overall, it went extremely well," said MacDonald. "Everyone was receptive, co-operative, and it went real smooth."

He said he expects the process will get easier later this month when the province is expected to launch an app for businesses and organizations to scan QR codes that vaccinated individuals can now download.

In pre-pandemic years, Cape Breton's home openers would typically bring in 3,500 to 4,000 spectators, MacDonald said. This weekend — which marked the first time the venue was allowed to operate at full capacity since the start of the pandemic — about 2,600 seats were filled.