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You'll need Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine certificate to enter these places

Ontario on Wednesday released details of its new COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which will be needed to enter higher-risk settings like nightclubs and theatres starting Sept. 22.

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Ontario on Wednesday released details of its new COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which will be needed to enter higher-risk settings like nightclubs and theatres starting Sept. 22.

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No one will be barred from accessing necessary services like health care or necessities such as groceries due to vaccine status, public health officials say.

Ontarians will not need to be vaccinated to vote in the Sept. 20 federal election.

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The way it will work is a person who has been double dosed with a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) will receive a vaccine receipt with a special QR code to print out or store on a mobile device.

To access facilities like theatres or concerts, the person would have to show that proof of vaccination along with a piece of identification like a photo health care or driver’s licence.

Once a specially designed app is available to businesses, expected by Oct. 22, individuals would only need to show a printed copy or screen view of their vaccination certificate. A QR code ensures greater protection of people’s personal health-care information, health officials say.

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Ontarians with a green photo OHIP card can log in to a provincial portal to download or print an electronic vaccine receipt.

Red and white card holders will need to call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 to receive an emailed copy of their vaccination receipt.

Health officials say a vaccine certificate is needed to protect against transmission of COVID-19, and will likely be a temporary measure rather than an on-going requirement.

Mandatory vaccination does not apply to staff at the prescribed facilities although any businesses or institutions can use the app to implement their own vaccination policy for patrons or employees provided people aren’t barred from the needed services or goods.

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Fines of around $750 for individuals and $1,000 and up for corporations are built into the new program to avoid tampering.

People who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical or age reasons will still be allowed to attend the prescribed facilities.

A short exemption also applies to wedding and funeral guests who attend event spaces.

In London, some public institutions have demanded employees get the COVID-19 vaccine or risk being fired. Public-health officials announced Tuesday that 75 per cent of the eligible 12-and-older population in London and surrounding Middlesex County has received the recommended two doses.


Where You’ll Need to Show Proof of Vaccine to Enter

(Applies unless you have a medical exemption or are too young for a COVIDS-19 vaccine)

  • Indoor dining at restaurants and bars.
  • Nightclubs, indoors and outdoor patios.
  • Meeting and event spaces (with temporary exemption from Sept. 22 to Oct. 12 for wedding and funeral guests who obtain negative test 48 hours before event).
  • Gyms, fitness and recreational facilities (except for youth recreational sport).
  • Sporting events.
  • Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments.
  • Concerts and music festivals.
  • Theatres and cinemas.
  • Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
  • Racing venues such as horse racing.

aartuso@postmedia.com

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