DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government has provided more information on the rollout of their vaccine certificate program. On Tuesday, September 14th, provincial officials provided information on new exceptions to the vaccine requirement policy, as well as about the technology being created to make it easier for residents to prove their vaccination status.
On Wednesday, September 1st, the government announced as of September 22nd, people would be required to show proof of full (two dose) vaccination, to enter restaurants and bars (except for on outdoor patios), nightclubs, banquet halls and conference/convention centres, “facilities used for sports and fitness activities,” sporting events, casinos, theatres and cinemas and horse racing venues.
Presently, Ontarians will have to show a print off on paper or a PDF directly of a vaccine receipt, as well as valid photo identification, to enter these facilities.
However, the government recently announced people would not be required to show this proof if they are entering the establishment to use a washroom, to get to an outdoor area “that can only be accessed through an indoor route”, to make a retail purchase, to purchase admission (to things like outdoor events) or to place or pick up an order.
This receipt can be downloaded or printed online, at covid19.ontariohealth.ca.
“If you go indoors, and it’s less than 15 minutes, the risk of exposure to others is much less. You also, when you go indoors, will be wearing a mask,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore explained.
Information has been provided about what the following phase will look like digitally.
“For Phase 2, which starts October 22nd, I am pleased to report, we are on track to release both our enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code and the QR code verification app for businesses,” Kaleed Rasheed, Associate Minister of Digital Government, said. “For people, your vaccine certificate will have a QR code. That is the vaccine credential you will provide when needed. For businesses, we are releasing a free app you can download, from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play App store, onto a smartphone and quickly and easily scan QR codes, which will tell you if a person can enter your establishment.” or move through it, as per the conditions described earlier in this article.
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