Starting today, the Government of Ontario will be implementing its proof-of-vaccination system province-wide. Residents will need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities. The following higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn will be covered by these requirements:
Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities, with the exception of youth recreational sport;
Sporting events;
Casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments;
Concerts, music festivals, theatres, and cinemas;
Strip clubs, bathhouses, and sex clubs;
Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).
These mandatory requirements will not apply to medical offices, grocery stores and other essential services. Indoor masking policies and capacity limits will continue to remain in place. Facilities and operations not covered by the policy may develop their own access policies that make use of the new verification credentials.
By Friday, October 22, the provincial government release a digital application vaccine that generates a QR code that can be kept on a phone and easily used to show proof of vaccination. In addition to the app, the province will also launch a second app to make it easier and more convenient for businesses and organizations to read and verify that a digital receipt is valid while protecting privacy. Additional tools to improve user experience, efficiency, and business supports will be developed and provided in the coming weeks including alternative tools for people with no email, health card, or government-issued ID. The government will also work to support implementation of vaccine certificates for Indigenous communities while maintaining Indigenous data governance, control, access, and possession principles.
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 will also be exempted from these requirements.
For more information and frequently asked questions, click here.