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Ontario's Vaccine Certificates Are Coming This Week & Here's Everything You Need To Know
We answered all your Instagram questions!
As of September 22, Ontario vaccine certificates will officially come into effect across the province. This means that residents will need to show proof of vaccination to get into multiple establishments including restaurants and gyms.
We asked you on Instagram what you wanted to know about the new certificates and have answered all your questions below.
Where do I need to show my vaccine certificate?
The Ontario government announced that residents will need to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before being able to enter multiple indoor establishments.
These spaces include:
- any indoor spaces for concerts, cinema, theatres
- indoor restaurants, bars and other food establishments
- indoor and outdoor spots with dancing like night clubs and restoclubs
- indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks
- commercial film and tv studios with live audiences indoors
- indoor waterparks
- indoor sporting events with spectators
- casinos, bingo halls, gaming establishments
- indoor areas for sports and recreational fitness, including, personal fitness training
- convention centres, banquet halls, conferences, and other meeting spaces
- strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
However, spots like grocery stores, medical care locations and funeral and wedding services will not require you to show proof of vaccination. (Yet gatherings following weddings and funerals will require you to be vaccinated, such as receptions.)
Currently, there is a list of reasons why residents will not have to show proof of vaccination when heading into these settings, including using the washroom, paying for an order, making a retail purchase and more.
How do I get my vaccine certificate?
Starting on September 22, residents will have to show proof of vaccination, along with a piece of government ID (such as a driver's licence or passport) before entering an establishment where a vaccine certificate is required.
Right now, you can download a PDF of your proof of vaccination, which you can either print out or store on a device by visiting the Ontario booking portal.
The government states that "those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt including those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900."
However, by October 22, the government plans to release an app. Once it launches, residents will be able to download a QR code that they will then be able to use as their vaccine certificate.
How long will vaccine certificates last?
The Ontario government has stated that vaccine certificates are only a temporary measure. However, they do not give a timeline on how long they will be in place.
"How long they are necessary will be monitored and evaluated based on data and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health," read a statement.
What do I do if I'm just visiting the province?
The Ontario government states that anyone who is visiting the province from another province or country will still be required to show their full vaccination status when entering listed establishments.
At the moment, the government is working to "provide additional tools to improve user experience, efficiency, and business supports in the coming weeks, including ensuring verification of fully vaccinated individuals from outside of province or country."
How will businesses enforce them?
All businesses and organizations will be required to ensure that customers provide proof of vaccination and an ID before entering the premises.
Businesses will have to ensure that the name and date of birth that is listed on the vaccination receipt is the same as that on the piece of identification.
On top of this, they will also have to verify that the customer's second dose was administered at least 14 days prior.
The Ontario government states that in the event that there is harassment or threats of violence over these new changes, law enforcement should be called to the business.
Individuals or businesses who do not follow these rules can be charged and fined under the Reopening Ontario Act.
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The Details Of Saskatchewan's Vaccine Passport Just Dropped & Here's Where You'll Need It
Be sure you're in the know!
The details of Saskatchewan's vaccine passport are officially here after being teased just hours earlier by the province's premier.
During a press conference Thursday, September 16, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced that the province's vaccine passport is set to launch on October 1, following a rise in COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations.
LIVE: @PremierScottMoe and Dr. Shahab provide an update on #COVID19SK https://t.co/SGsoVZ7VKx— Government of Saskatchewan (@Government of Saskatchewan) 1631823379.0
"The choice to not get vaccinated is not just affecting you, it is now seriously impacting those that have made a different choice," said Moe during the press conference.
According to the government, the provincial requirement for proof of vaccination will apply to venues that bring groups of people together in public spaces. These types of places will include indoor dining at restaurants, nightclubs, bars, concert venues, movie theatres, and ticked sporting events. Indoor fitness centres and gyms will also be included.
However, the province's vaccine passport will not be required for publicly accessible places such as grocery stores, places of worship, fast-food restaurants that offer takeout and delivery, and health care services. Hotels, weddings, and funerals also will not need to require proof of vaccination.
In terms of how the vaccine passport will work, Moe said during the conference that it will come in the form of a QR code, which is set to launch the week of September 20. According to Moe, details on how to download the QR code will be shared by the Ministry of Health prior to its launch.
During the press conference, Moe also announced that starting Friday an interim mandatory masking order will come into effect for all indoor public spaces. It is set to be lifted by late October.
Health Canada has a robust website with all the latest information on the vaccines and can answer any questions you may have. Click here for more information.
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Alberta's Vaccine Passport Is Officially Coming But It Won't Be Used Everywhere
Businesses can decide if they want to implement it or not.
With Alberta currently under a state of emergency, the province will be introducing a vaccine passport, but there will be some exemptions.
On Wednesday, September 15, the provincial government announced the implementation of the Restrictions Exemption Program, which is Alberta's form of a vaccine passport.
These coming days and weeks are critical to reducing transmission in our communities. Let’s all be safe, take care… https://t.co/Am2JlSnQmt— Dr. Deena Hinshaw (@Dr. Deena Hinshaw) 1631806217.0
According to the government, starting on Monday, September 20, businesses can choose whether or not they will implement the program. This means that businesses participating in the program will require people to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that was privately paid for in order to gain entry.
The businesses that can choose to be a part of the Restrictions Exemption Program include restaurants, weddings and funerals, retail, entertainment, and recreation facilities, among others.
People under the age of 12 will not need to show any kind of vaccination or testing proof and the same will go for those with a documented medical condition. The Restrictions Exemption Program does not include places that need to be accessed for daily living, like grocery stores.
"The new proof of vaccination requirements will make us all safer," said Minister of Health Tyler Shandro in the news release. "This will help increase vaccination rates across the province and protect Albertans in settings that pose a higher risk of transmission. We've seen from other jurisdictions that proof of vaccinations do help encourage people to get vaccinated, and I am calling on every eligible Albertan to get fully immunized as soon as possible."
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Saskatchewan Is Getting A Vaccine Passport & Scott Moe Says 'The Time For Patience Is Over'
Government officials are not playing around.👇
Saskatchewan is officially joining a growing list of provinces that will be implementing a COVID-19 vaccine passport in Canada.
In a post on his Facebook page on September 16, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced sweeping health measures in response to the province's current fourth wave and increasing COVID-19 case numbers.
"Unlike previous waves, this wave of the pandemic is being driven almost entirely by one group that consists of about 20 to 30% of our population. Those that have made the choice to remain unvaccinated," said Moe.
While he confirmed that the province will make an official announcement on Thursday afternoon regarding details of all the new measures, he laid several of them out during the video.
Starting September 17, the province will see an interim mandatory masking order come into effect for all indoor public spaces.
The order is set to be lifted in late October, at which time "a full proof of vaccination or negative test policy will be have been implemented for about three to four weeks," Moe said.
Proof of vaccination and the negative test policy will begin in the province on October 1. Moe said during the video that it will apply to several businesses, establishments and event venues while "excluding several services that are necessary for every citizen in the province to access."
According to Moe, all employees of government ministries, crowns and agencies will also be required to get vaccinated and have proof of full vaccination by the same date. They will, however, have the option of providing consistent proof of negative COVID-19 tests if they cannot provide proof of vaccination.
"As a province and as a government we have been very patient, possibly too patient. The time for patience is now over," he said.
Health Canada has a robust website with all the latest information on the vaccines and can answer any questions you may have. Click here for more information.
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