'I'm hoping it plays out smoothly': Toronto businesses react to vaccine passport rollout
It was a busy lunch-hour at Hone Fitness on St. Clair Avenue West, despite new requirements that each member produce documents proving they're fully vaccinated.
"It's a good idea, a little bit of extra work, but it's worth it," patron Ted Wilson told CTV News Toronto.
Floor Manager Andre McPherson, meanwhile, said the rollout has been smooth, although regrettably, the gym had lost some clients.
"They haven't come off super angry about it. It's just, you know, 'It's unfortunate that I have to cancel my membership, you guys have been great, but I really don't want to get the shots.'"
Two doors east, at Philosophy Fitness, owner Phil Ortwein says he's actually seeing customers returning to his facility. At one point during the pandemic, Ortwein says he lost about 80 per cent of his business.
"Many of my customers who were maybe a little hesitant to come back in, now all of the sudden feel a sense of relief."
Indoor gyms, pools, restaurants, bars, sports venues, bingo halls, theatres and casinos are all places that will require proof of vaccination.
"I'm hoping that it plays out pretty smoothly. You know, like, we were hoping that they would implement the vaccine passports, knowing it would be safer for the customers, and being safer for the staff," said Sienna Ebbinghaus, manager of the Sunset Grill on Wellington Avenue West.
Ebbinghaus says she's hoping for the best -- but is prepared for the worst.
"We have security on standby. We will call the police on you if you're giving the staff an issue. It's not our fault this is happening and we will enforce if we have difficult customers."
Meanwhile, the owner of Cocoa Latte on St. Clair West says she and her husband have decided to shut their indoor dining down, because they don't want to deal with enforcement.
"I really don't want to deal with clients who are going to be arguing with us, and we want to make sure our girls come to work and enjoy coming to work and aren't going to be stressful to deal with new government laws," said owner Christina DaSilva.
The city's General Manager of Emergency Management and COVID-19 Incident Commander, Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, says coordinated enforcement teams want to support local businesses. Pegg says he is encouraging people to be patient, and to "understand that each of these businesses are simply complying with the regulations that the provincial government has put in place."
"I understand people's fear. I understand it's difficult," gym patron Cindy Letterman told CTV News Toronto. "I think I'm apprehensive of, is there going to be a lot of angry people not being able to go places?"
Chief Pegg says where businesses require assistance in a non-emergency capacity, they should call 3-1-1, and if there is an imminent risk to public safety, they should call 9-1-1. Pegg added that while health inspectors and municipal law enforcement officers will be "out and about", the response will largely be complaint-based.
Children under 12 are still exempt from the regulations, given they are not eligible for vaccination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.