Reaction to the provincial decision to issue proof of vaccine cards was cautious, but positive, from two 91原创 business groups.

If vaccination passports and indoor mask wearing can avert another wholesale lockdown, they will be a good thing, said Colleen Clark, CEO of the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce.

鈥淚f the vaccine passport is going to help prevent it, maybe it鈥檚 the right step forward,鈥� Clark told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥漌e can鈥檛 go back to the way it was. Businesses won鈥檛 be able to survive another province-wide shutdown.鈥�

Clark thinks a clearly worded vaccination passport requirement could reduce stress on front desk staff, servers and other employees who have been in the position of enforcing COVID restrictions.

鈥淜eep it black and white,鈥� Clark commented.

Clark advised the chamber is preparing to poll members about the announcement that proof of vaccination cards, or vaccine passports, will be issued.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just waiting on the details,鈥� Clark said.

鈥淚f it helps prevent shutdowns, it is a good thing.鈥�

Teri James, executive director of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association, expected the 鈥渄ay-to-day鈥� impact of the mask requirement on small businesses would be manageable, in part because most owners never stopped wearing them.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 been into a store in the past month, where the proprietor hasn鈥檛 been wearing a mask,鈥� James observed, adding businesses will likely face some 鈥減ushback鈥� from the same customers who objected to masks the last time they were mandatory.

James anticipates the vaccine passport could slow entry to businesses because someone will have to check the cards rather than just looking to see if a visitor is wearing a mask.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to create some work,鈥� James predicted.

Veronica Cave of Veronica鈥檚 Gourmet Perogies in Aldergrove was on holidays when the announcement came down, but immediately called it in.

鈥淚 notified the staff right away,鈥� Cave related.

鈥淚 said, get the signs back up.鈥�

Cave remarked that most of her customers continued to wear masks, even when the restrictions were lifted.

鈥淭here was a lot of respect,鈥� Cave told the Aldergrove Star.

Cave, the Aldergrove Business Association vice-president, expected members of the association will be discussing the impact of vaccination passports, but until they do, she couldn鈥檛 speak on their behalf.

READ MORE: Proof of vaccination to be required for B.C. sports, movies, restaurants

Announced Monday, Aug. 23, the B.C. Vaccine Card will be needed to show a first dose of vaccine as of Sept. 13, with a second dose requirement as of Oct. 24. It will be required for entry to restaurants, including patios, ticketed indoor sports events and concerts, casinos, night clubs and high-intensity fitness classes.

Proof of vaccination will also be required for organized indoor events such as weddings, parties, conferences and workshops.

The passports will not be needed for grocery stores, medical services and other essential services. Henry said the B.C. Vaccine Card will not be used for going to work, and WorkSafeBC is developing methods to help employers protect their workplaces from infection transmission.

Out-of-province people will have the same requirement to show their vaccination records, as international travellers already have to provide proof of vaccination to enter Canada, she said.

Henry said the measure is temporary, and B.C. will coordinate with the federal government as it applied around the country. Quebec was the first province to bring in a vaccine passport program.

READ ALSO: B.C. brings back mask mandate for all indoor public spaces

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced British Columbians will be required to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces once again.

Henry said that the mandate will be reassessed as the province鈥檚 recently announced vaccine card requirement sets in and vaccination rates increase.

Masks will be required in places including retail stores, malls, libraries, fitness centres and building common areas.

The mask mandate had been lifted in July as cases and hospitalizations decreased and first dose vaccinations rates for adults reached 70 per cent.