Nova Scotia rolls out COVID-19 digital vaccine passport system
Nova Scotia’s digital vaccine passport system began on Friday.
During the lunch rush at Millstone Public House in Dartmouth, staff say it was a time-saver.
“It makes it quicker and more efficient. So far, it has been great. You just scan it, and It’s green if you’re good and red if you’re not. It’s simple as that,” said Megan Bartlett, the general manager of Millstone Public House.
Nova Scotia’s Vax Check NS app went online Friday.
The app is free to download on any smartphone or tablet and relies on QR codes that can be scanned as proof of a double dose.
Its use isn’t mandatory — but the province is pitching it as another option as bars, restaurants and gyms are tasked with only allowing entry to people who’ve been fully vaccinated. The QR code passport is also now the federal standard, which can be used for international travel.
So far, the reviews are positive.
“Seemed pretty easy. I had it up on my email already so just popped it up. They did a quick scan and now we’re about to eat,” Stephen McKellar said.
While most of the scans CTV News witnessed worked, some did not. The app wouldn’t register a screen shot of one patron’s passport or another one that was small but printed out.
Sean Morrow, a faculty member with IT Web Programming at NSCC in Truro, N.S., said there are several factors that may affect the QR reader - which in this case is a camera on a smart phone.
“Perhaps the screen shot was a bit skewed. I mean who knows,” he said.
Morrow said size of the QR code shouldn’t matter but noted if it can been crumpled up and the dots were blurred that could cause problems.
When it comes to security, Morrow said there’s a lot OF detail in those blocks of black and white. In this case, it’s the info on your vaccine passport, such as your name and date of birth. It’s not readable to the naked eye nor does it show up in the app but Morrow said it can be retrieved.
“It takes a little technical know-how but you certainly could read it and see what that data is. But like I said it’s not like it’s a SIN or anything like that,” Morrow said.
“As long as you don’t post your QR code as your status picture on Facebook or something, you’re going to be fine,” he said.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston called the app efficient and smooth.
“We’re always concerned about security of public personal information but I feel very confident in this app and I think we’ll continue to look at ways to make sure it is more and more secure,” Houston said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.