Ontario Vaccine Passport Program Now in Effect

After three weeks since Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that non-essential businesses in the province must participate in a vaccine passport program, residents who are 12 or older must now show proof of vaccination.

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Starting on Wednesday residents in Ontario will need to have proof of having received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“There are a lot of people who are concerned about this policy and I want you to know that I hear you. I understand your concerns about protecting your civil liberties and right to privacy,” said Doug Ford. “While many fully vaccinated people like myself share these concerns, the greater concern is having to shut down again or experience a sudden surge in cases like in Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

Vaccine passports are currently available online.

On Oct. 22 a QR code-based mobile application is set to launch for use by residents and businesses in place of physical vaccination receipts.

Those that do not wish to use this or do not have a mobile phone can print off an enhanced receipt with a QR code that can be scanned. Anyone without access to a printer can call call 1-833-943-3900 for assistance.

Businesses can download a free app that will scan and verify QR codes. Those checking for proof of vaccination at businesses are encouraged to match the patrons I.D to their vaccine passport and to ensure that their second dose was administered at least 14 days prior.

Identification that will be accepted with proof of vaccination includes a driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, Ontario photo card or other government-issued identification, Indian status card or Indigenous membership card or a permanent resident card.

Proof of vaccinations will be required at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, concert venues, gyms and fitness facilities, theatres, cinemas, racetracks, waterparks, TV and film productions with studio audiences, sports venues, casinos and gaming establishments, meeting and event spaces, strip clubs and bathhouses.

Proof of vaccination will not be required when entering a building to use a washroom, pay for an order, accessing an outdoor area that can only be done through an indoor way, placing or picking up a to-go order or purchasing admission to an outdoor event.

Children under 12 or anyone with a medical exemption will not need to show proof of vaccination.

Examples of medical exemptions include severe allergies, anaphylaxis, myocarditis or pericarditis.

Individuals who do not comply with screening or present false documents are fined starting at $750 and $1,000 for businesses under the Reopening Ontario Act.

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Ontario Government Releases Additional Vaccine Passports Details

With just over a week before vaccine certifications are required to access several settings, the Ontario Government has released details on the program, exceptions and consequences for non-compliance announced in an online livestream on Tuesday.

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Starting Sept. 22, proof of vaccination for at least 14 days and photo identification is required to enter non-essential businesses and other settings. It is not needed to attend retail stores, places of worship, banks, salons, and outdoor settings.

Employees are encouraged to match the name and date of birth listed on the receipt with the ID information. The receipt must have the second dose listed when checked.

Valid forms of ID are a driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate, citizenship card, Ontario photo card or other government-issued identification, Indian status/Indigenous membership card or a permanent resident card.

Vaccine receipts are currently available online to be printed or can be downloaded onto your mobile device, computer or tablet.

Proof does not apply to children under 12 and anyone unvaccinated due to medical exemptions.

On Oct. 22, a free enhanced vaccine certification app will be available with a unique QR code to provide proof of vaccination conveniently and quickly. Ontario will launch a new app for convenient vaccine verification.

The enhanced vaccine certificate and QR code verification app are on track to be released according to Kaleed Rasheed, associate minister of digital government.

Businesses can download a free app to scan and verify QR codes to see if residents can enter or not based on their vaccination status.

“Our made-in-Ontario app will make it quicker and easier for businesses to confirm that a person's vaccine certificate is valid," said Rasheed.

For anyone without a smartphone, QR codes with and enhanced paper vaccine certificates will be issued by the Ontario government (or can call 1-833-943-3900 if you do not have access to a printer or computer).

Individuals who do not comply with screening or present false documents are fined starting at $750 and $1,000 for businesses under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Additionally, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario chief medical officer of health announced the province will begin offering third doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The does is for sufficient protection due to a waning immune response to vaccines including immunocompromised people. The decision came after a recent recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

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