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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.