Quebec to start testing COVID-19 vaccine passport smartphone application Wednesday

Montreal–Quebec is launching two pilot projects over the next two weeks to test a smartphone application that will run the government's vaccine passport system.

Health Minister Christian Dube made the announcement today in Montreal, saying the passport would be used in settings with a high degree of contact, such as festivals, bars, restaurants and gyms.

Dube says two days of testing will begin Wednesday at a sports bar and restaurant in Quebec City, and he says the application will be tested the following week over two days at a gym in the Montreal area.

He says the government wants to have the smartphone application ready for use across the province by September.

Dube says the application will read the QR code sent to people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, adding that both businesses and clients will need to download the software.

Quebec is reporting 234 new COVID-19 infections today, no deaths linked to the virus and a rise of seven hospitalizations.