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Vaccine Certificates Could Be Phased Out & Only Used For Mass Gatherings, Says Ontario Doc
"We may not require them in some venues but still require them in mass gatherings."
Ontario's top doctor revealed that vaccine certificates could be phased out over time and eventually used for only mass gatherings during a COVID-19 update on Thursday.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, stated that the province's proof of vaccination requirements will be gradually lifted based on case rates.
"What we see is a phased removal of domains requiring verification of your immunization as we have very low rates across Ontario," he said. "So, we may not require them in some venues but still require them in mass gatherings where we have a large number of people gathering."
"We don't see the whole certification process ending suddenly but having a phased exit from it over time."
Moore also stated that he doesn't see vaccine certificates disappearing before the holidays.
"The risk times are always holidays and the two to three weeks afterwards, so I can't see us eliminating them until we get through some of the difficult holiday times," he added.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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Multiple Ontario Schools Have Shut Down Due To COVID-19 Outbreaks
At least one of the closures will last two weeks.
Multiple Ontario schools have shut down due to COVID-19 outbreaks as of Friday.
The Ministry of Education reports that 810 schools out of a total of 4,844 have confirmed cases of COVID-19, which makes up approximately 16.72%.
Out of these schools, five have been forced to close. Monsignor Leo Cleary Catholic Elementary School, St. Benedict School and Lord Elgin Public School are just some of the spots that have closed their doors.
In fact, Monsignor Leo Cleary Catholic Elementary School, in Durham, has confirmed 14 cases of COVID-19 as of 10:30 a.m. on October 1.
In a statement released on September 25, the school confirmed that it would be closed for at least two weeks. "The closure will be in effect for at least two weeks. All students will transition to virtual learning until further notice. Students will be contacted by classroom teachers on Monday morning with instructions to begin the transition to virtual learning."
Lord Elgin Public School also announced that students would be learning virtually until October 5, after reporting 12 COVID-19 cases.
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Alberta Officials Are Planning For A Potential 'Worst-Case' Scenario As COVID-19 Cases Soar
"It's prudent to plan."
Premier Jason Kenney has just announced that the province will be taking measures to plan for a "worst-case" scenario as Alberta's COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
During a COVID-19 update on Tuesday, September 21, the premier said that he'd been in touch with different agencies to plan what the response would be in dire circumstances.
Update on COVID-19 – September 21 at 5 pm www.youtube.com
"We initiated planning with federal agencies for potential additional support, again, to plan responsibly for a worst-case scenario," Kenney said during the press conference. "Our planning includes potential aeromedical evacuation capability from the Canadian Armed Forces, including getting more personnel skilled in patient management and transfers that can help support relocating patients to hospitals outside of the province if needed."
"Let me be clear, we do not currently need the support and we do not have an imminent need of it, but it's prudent to plan for things in case we reach a worst-case scenario," he went on to say.
The news comes on the heels of the premier's cabinet shuffle earlier on Tuesday. Kenny confirmed that Minister of Health Tyler Shandro had resigned from his position and would be swapping jobs with the Minister of Labour and Immigration, Jason Copping.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during the Tuesday press conference that there have been 29 new deaths reported to Alberta Health in the past 24 hours and about 1,500 new COVID-19 cases.
Alberta recently declared a public health emergency and implemented a series of new health rules to try and stop the swell in cases.
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Alberta's Health Minister Has Just Been Replaced In The Midst Of A Public Health Emergency
He is swapping roles with another minister.
Alberta's cabinet just got shuffled by Premier Jason Kenney, and the province's health minister has been replaced.
On Tuesday, September 21, the premier announced that Tyler Shandro would no longer be the minister of health. He will now take over as the minister of labour and immigration, replacing Jason Copping, who will be stepping in as health minister.
Just a few hours later during a weekly COVID-19 update, the premier further explained the move.
"I have accepted Minister Shandro's resignation as minister of health. It is time for a new start and a new set of eyes on the largest department in the government, especially at a time such as this," Kenny said during the press conference. "Minister Copping has proven himself as a thoughtful and capable leader in government who is ready to take on the daunting task of overcoming this fourth wave and preparing the health care system to deal with whatever the virus throws at us in the future."
Alberta declared a state of public health emergency on September 15 and is currently implementing new health rules, including a form of proof of vaccination.
Earlier this year, Shandro had said that it was "safe to move forward" with a staged reopening of the province.
"We broke the trend, turned it straight down in the middle of winter, no less," he said of COVID-19 cases during a February press conference. "But Albertans have shown that they can do what it takes to bend the curve. And that's why I believe it's safe to move forward with our careful, staged reopening."
Alberta hit a total of 20,614 active COVID-19 cases in Monday's update.
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