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
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.