Quebec Now Requires A Vaccine Passport When Buying Cannabis And Alcohol

Vaccination requirements have been implemented well throughout the globe in order for the public to safely access indoor spaces, international flights, and public transit. But, one province in Canada is taking its protocol one step further.

According to local news outlets in Quebec, Canada, the province now requires individuals to present vaccine passports when purchasing alcohol and cannabis. The new regulation will go into effect next week, on January 18.

In late December, Quebec’s capital city Montreal declared a state of emergency after witnessing the skyrocketing COVID-19 case numbers. Since September 2021, a vaccination passport has been required for ages 13 and older to access non-essential businesses in Quebec like bars, restaurants, casinos, places of worship, and sports facilities.

This vaccine passport requirement will be applied to individuals who want to buy alcohol from the Société Des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) or cannabis products at the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC). The SAQ is Quebec’s sole alcohol distributor, with more than 400 stores throughout the province. Similarly, the SQDC is the only non-medical legal retailer of cannabis in Quebec.

According to Linda Bouchard, a spokesperson for SAQ, she said in an email to The Points Guy that “SAQ has discussed the issue with the government,” and now that authorities have decided to implement the new law, the SAQ “will apply this measure.”

In Canada, Quebec is seen as one of the most strict provinces in terms of handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, Quebec’s Premier François Legault temporarily closed indoor dining and announced a 10 p.m. curfew while limiting indoor gatherings to those who live in the same household. After 10 p.m., the streets of Quebec are scattered with police to enforce the newly onset lockdown.

Additionally, non-essential businesses are closed on Sundays, and all indoor sports are suspended. Quebec Premier François Legault said in a statement on December 30 that “The contagion is destabilizing [Quebec’s] society.” He added that his province cannot continue this way, and major change is needed to slow the contagion and “do everything to restrict transmission.”

As of now, fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. can visit Canada even for tourism. However, all travelers must provide results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before heading to Canada.