Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if they want to access certain businesses and places.
It was officially announced by Premier Doug Ford Wednesday, after he and Health Minister Christine Elliot both stressed until recently that a vaccine passport would not be coming to the province.
British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec have already all confirmed they would be implementing a vaccine passport.
Ford explains more about the reasoning behind the decision.
“As the world continues its fight against the Delta variant, our government will never waver in our commitment to do what’s necessary to keep people safe, protect our hospitals and minimize disruptions to businesses,” said Ford. “Based on the latest evidence and best advice, COVID-19 vaccine certificates give us the best chance to slow the spread of this virus while helping us to avoid further lockdowns. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please do so today.”
The passport will not apply to children under the age of 12, or people with medical exemptions.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says proof of vaccination is an important way to help Ontario out of the pandemic.
“We are already seeing a rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 as we head into the fall,” said Moore. “As we enter the last mile push to increase vaccination rates, the introduction of a vaccine certificate is an important step to give people the tools to limit further spread of the virus so that we can ensure the safety of all Ontarians while keeping the province open and operational.”
Moore stressed that the majority of recent COVID cases are in unvaccinated people.
Ontarians currently have access to a paper or PDF receipt that includes the information proving they are fully vaccinated.
The province will also be introducing a digital vaccine receipt that features a QR code and eventually an app that can be kept on a phone and easily used to show that you’ve been vaccinated if you need to.
Beginning Sept. 22, proof of vaccination along with photo ID (driver’s license or health card) will be needed to access:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
- Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
- Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
- Sporting events;
- Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
- Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
- Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
- Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).
For the period between September 22 and October 12, 2021, it is intended that people attending wedding or funeral receptions at meeting or event spaces will be able to provide a negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test from no more than 48 hours before the event as an alternative to proof of vaccination. These rapid antigen tests would have to be privately purchased.
Individuals with medical exemptions will be permitted entry with a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
Children who are 11 years of age and younger and unable to be vaccinated will also be exempted from these requirements.
The province is looking at alternative tools for people with no email, health card or ID.
The Ontario government is continuing its last mile strategy to reach individuals who not received their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
