6 Things You Won't Be Able To Do In Canada If You're Not Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Attending sports events, concerts and travelling could be more complicated.👇
Canadians who are yet to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may find that there's an increasing number of things they can't do.
This includes attending some concerts and sports events, in addition to volunteering in some health care settings and working as a federal employee.
Here's a look at a few examples of the things that are currently off-limits for unvaccinated people in Canada:
Work in a federal industry
Vaccines work. Since the start of Canada\u2019s vaccination campaign in mid-December, less than 1% of COVID-19 cases have been among people who are fully-vaccinated. And that\u2019s why we\u2019re going to require vaccination across the federal public service as early as the end of September.— Justin Trudeau (@Justin Trudeau) 1628889448
On August 13, the government announced that all federal workers in Canada would be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
This mandate is set to come into effect by October and will impact all employees of the federal public service and the federally regulated air, rail and marine transport industries.
Officials are yet to confirm exactly what will happen to those who choose not to get vaccinated, but did say that public service managers will be "in a position to deal with employees that decide not to respect the mandatory requirement."
Justin Trudeau also warned that there will be "consequences" for anybody who doesn't have a legitimate medical reason not to get a vaccine.
The feds also called on organizations "beyond the federally regulated sector" to consider implementing their own vaccination strategies, based on guidance from public health authorities.
Work in health care
In regions like Ontario and Quebec, employees in the health care sector are also now required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Quebec has mandated that all health care workers in the public and private sector must have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccines by October.
In Ontario, anybody working or volunteering in hospitals, long-term care homes or community care settings must show proof of vaccination or give a valid health reason for not getting the vaccine. Unvaccinated people will have to undergo regular testing.
Travel
In August, federal officials confirmed that COVID-19 vaccines will become mandatory for anybody using public transport or travelling by air in Canada.
This will include all commercial air travellers, passengers on interprovincial trains and passengers on large marine vessels with overnight accommodations, such as cruise ships.
Like the mandate for federal workers, this is slated to come into effect in fall 2021. Those who can't get vaccinated for medical reasons will face alternative measures like regular COVID-19 testing and screening.
It will also be more complicated for unvaccinated Canadians to go on vacation abroad, as they face more restrictions upon their return to Canada.
Those who are not fully vaccinated must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Canada, before quarantining for two weeks.
Stay on university campus
Across Canada, an increasing number of post-secondary institutions are requiring students and staff to get vaccinated if they want to return to campus.
For example, the University of Toronto, Western University, Ryerson University and more will require all students living on-site to be fully vaxxed.
However, universities like the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University and more say they will encourage vaccines but won't mandate them.
Special accommodations will be made in most cases for those who can't be vaccinated on medical grounds.
Attend some concerts
In August, Live Nation Canada announced that it will require concert-goers to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The policy is set to come into effect nationwide by October 4.
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) also confirmed that it will require vaccination proof or a negative COVID-19 test for attendees and staff at all of their venues.
The same types of policies will apply at events like Escapade Music Festival, Kingston Pride and more.
Attend some sports events
Unvaccinated Canadians may find that attending sports events is a little more complicated, too.
For example, MLSE is set to require full vaccination for anyone going to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Raptors, Toronto FC, and the Toronto Argonauts.
Fans provincewide must also be fully vaxxed if they want to attend Ontario Hockey League games.
Similar plans are in place in Manitoba, where the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers have recently welcomed back vaccinated fans only.
Health Canada has a robust website with all the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines and can answer any questions you may have.