Ontario’s provincial government just released its official regulations for their vaccine passport system, and it is even more all-encompassing and ubiquitous than previously imagined.
According to Ontario’s new Provincial regulations, all business owners who operate a business under the lengthy list of affected businesses are now legally compelled to attain proof of identification and confirm the vaccination status of anyone looking to enter their business.
This regulation has been extended to “outdoor areas of food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs, restoclubs and other similar establishments, but not with respect to takeout and delivery service.”
The businesses which fall under Ontario’s new law include the following:
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Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces, including banquet halls, conference and convention centres (with limited exceptions)
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Indoor and outdoor areas of food or drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs and restoclubs and other similar establishments (excluding delivery and takeout)
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Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments without dance facilities (excluding outdoor areas (like patios), delivery and takeout)
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Indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks, and personal fitness training (including gyms, fitness/sporting/ recreational facilities, pools, leagues sporting events, waterparks, and indoor areas of facilities where spectators watch events)
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Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments
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Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres, and cinemas
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Indoor areas of bathhouses, sex clubs and strip clubs’
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Indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues
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Indoor areas where film and TV productions take place with studio audiences (excluding cast and crew members)
The provincial government now expects all Ontarians to print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal or obtain proof of vaccination via the mail.
They are also developing a QR code vaccine certificate, with a planned roll-out date of October 22.
“Businesses need a smart, quick and safe solution to verify vaccination,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Associate Minister of Digital Government. “The made-in-Ontario enhanced vaccine certificate for the public and the verification app for businesses are tools to confirm that an individual has been vaccinated while protecting Ontarians’ health data.”
Additionally, a patron can enter a business place to use a washroom, make a retail purchase, place or pick up an order, pay for an order, purchase admission, or if it is necessary to enter for the purposes of health and safety without showing proof of vaccination.
People are only considered vaccinated if they have had the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines; one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada; or three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada.
Moreover, a person is not considered fully vaccinated until 14 days after their last dose of vaccine.
Those who cannot get vaccinated must provide documented medical reasons for why they have not been vaccinated.
The government is also toting increased vaccination numbers due to the creation of this apartheid state.
“The proof of vaccination policy has resulted in a marked increase in vaccination rates. Between September 1 and September 8, 2021, the seven-day average for first doses administered increased by more than 29 per cent, from over 11,400 doses to over 14,700 doses,” a statement reads.
“During that time, more than 90,000 first doses and 102,000 second doses were administered in Ontario to individuals aged 18 to 59.”
However, this increased rate of vaccination is not enough for the government. So the province is continuing its last mile strategy to get a jab in those who are yet to comply, hoping to increase vaccine uptake.
Additionally, there has been no news of ending Ontario’s provincial mask mandates, with officials telling Ontarians to continue complying or risk punishment.
“As we continue to see cases of COVID-19 in our communities, we must keep up the fight against the transmission of this virus and its variants to create a safer environment for ourselves, our families and our communities,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
“The best defence against COVID-19 is getting a vaccine and encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated too. Wearing a mask and practising physical distancing where possible are public health measures we all must continue to follow.”
The government announced that they are beginning to recommend and offer third doses of vaccine for those who have immunodeficiencies. However, it is unclear if this will be a requirement for all Ontarians in the future to maintain their fully vaccinated status.
