The start date for the previously announced vaccine certificate is fast approaching.
Starting on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to show proof of vaccination, before entering a number of non-essential businesses.
As claimed by Premier Doug Ford the hope from the vaccine passport is to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and help avoid further lockdowns.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford explains why the vaccine certificate took longer than other provinces to implement.
“We believe the federal government should’ve been responsible for this, and we had them there shortly before the election. It’s common sense, you’re talking about a certificate for people to move across different provinces,” said Rickford
Ontario’s vaccine certificate announcement came after British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec implemented their own province-wide certificate.
Rickford added that the upcoming general election put a delay on federal discussions, but the province was able to come up with its own plan of a vaccine passport.
“We don’t want to compromise people’s ability to travel, and we certainly want to foster safety in the context of the fourth wave. We’ve got a plan to do it, it’s a temporary plan. We’ll move forward in the absence of leadership from the federal government” noted Rickford
Starting on September 22, residents will have to present their proof of vaccination receipts along with a piece of photo identification before entering the following indoor public settings:
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Restaurants and bar (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
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Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishments);
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Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
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Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sports;
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Sporting events;
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Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
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Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
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Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs and;
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Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).
The province noted that proof of vaccination requirements don't apply to outdoor settings, like patios.
Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to 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.
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.
Ontario will also introduce an enhanced digital vaccine receipt that features a QR code, which is safe, more secure and with you wherever you go. This digital vaccine receipt can be kept on a phone and easily used to show that you've been vaccinated if you need to. In addition, the province will launch a new app to make it easier and more convenient for businesses and organizations to read and verify that a digital vaccine receipt is valid while protecting your privacy.