Ontario's vaccine passport system begins and this is what you need to know
Ontario's vaccine certificate program is now in effect and there are some important things to know about how it will work.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to access non-essential businesses in Ontario starting Wednesday.
Those eligible for a vaccine certificate must have both doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine 14 days prior.
These are the answers to some of the top questions about the program.
How do you get your vaccine certificate?
The province has split its vaccine passport rollout into two stages.
In the first step, beginning on Sept. 22, fully vaccinated residents need to navigate to the provincial website to retrieve their vaccination receipts.
Click here to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccine.
Users are instructed to print or save their receipts as a PDF to a mobile device which can then be used as proof-of-vaccination.
Prior to entry into non-essential settings, establishments will visually verify your vaccine certificate with accompanying government-issued physical identification.
This process will be in place until Oct. 22, when the province's QR code and verification app will come into effect.
At that time, users will be required to request their certificate through the province’s forthcoming digital portal or service desk.
Click here for more information on getting your proof of vaccine.
Where do you need proof of vaccine?
Ontarians will need proof of vaccine in most non-essential settings.
All other public health measures, like masking and screening, will still apply in areas where you need a vaccine certificate.
Some examples of these settings include:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios)
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas)
- Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres
- Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and person fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities (with the exception of youth recreational sport)
- Sporting events
- Indoor areas of waterparks
- Indoor areas of commercial film and TV productions with studio audiences
- Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
- Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas
- Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs
- Racing venues
The government says at no time will anyone unvaccinated be prevented from accessing necessary medical care, food from grocery stores, basic medical supplies or other essentials.
Click here for a detailed list of situations where you will be exempt from showing a vaccine certificate.
The province warned that proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a recent infection will not replace the vaccine certificates.
Can I get a medical exemption if I can't get the vaccine?
The Ontario government said there are two valid medical exemptions to getting the vaccine.
The first would be an allergic reaction to a component of the vaccine within an individual, which must be confirmed by an allergist or immunologist.
The second would be if an individual suffered myocarditis or pericarditis after the first dose of a vaccine.
If you have a medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine certificate program, you must present identification and a written document.
Children under 12 will not need to show proof of vaccination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.