ONTARIO TO REQUIRE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR MANY PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS AND VENUES
Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, has announced that beginning on September 22, 2021, the Province of Ontario will require proof of vaccination for certain recreational/public settings. Individuals will need to provide proof they have received a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14-days prior to attending the following establishments or participating in the following activities:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, delivery, and takeout services)
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment)
- Meeting and events spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centers
- Facilities used for sports, fitness, and personal fitness training activities, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities, with the exception of youth recreational sports
- Sporting events
- Casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments
- Concerts, music festivals, theaters, and cinemas
- Racing venues (horse/car racing)
A 2-day wait period (fully vaccinated at least two days prior to attending the event/establishment) is in place for weddings and funerals from September 22 – October 12, 2021.
When attending any of these venues, individuals will be asked to show their vaccine receipt and government-issued photo identification. These mandatory requirements will not apply to outdoor settings, where the risk of transmission is lower, with the exception of outdoor nightclub spaces. This approach focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn.
By October 22, 2021, the Province of Ontario hopes to have completed an enhanced vaccine certificate, and a digital app that will allow businesses to scan a QR code on a person’s phone to verify vaccination.
To read the full notice from Premier Doug Ford, please visit www.eohu.ca.