Simcoe Muskoka residents required to show vaccination proof under Ontario's plan
Simcoe Muskoka residents are required to provide proof of vaccination status starting Sept. 22 to access certain indoor public settings and facilities as the Ontario government imposes the COVID-19 vaccine certificate.
"The vaccine is the best tool we have to keep people safe," Premier Doug Ford said.
Residents will need to provide vaccination proof and photo identification to enter restaurants, bars, nightclubs, event spaces and banquet halls, fitness and recreational facilities, sporting events, casinos, bingo halls, concerts and racing venues.
"Enforcement will be led by bylaw officers," Ford added.
The premier said the measure was "temporary."
"We will only use these certificates for as long as they are needed and not one day longer," Ford noted.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's medical officer of health reacted to the announcement, saying the certificate would lead to a "safer community" amid the fourth wave.
Dr. Charles Gardner called the vaccination certificate a "very important and commendable advancement on the part of the provincial government."
Fines for individuals found not complying start at $750, and businesses start at $1,000.
However, the Simcoe Muskoka health unit said enforcement would start with education on the vaccine's benefits and how the certificate program works.
WHERE RESIDENTS WON'T NEED VACCINE CERTIFICATE
Ontario's health minister assured that no one would be denied access to medical care, food from grocery stores, or basic essentials.
The province said the requirements don't apply to outdoor settings where the risk of spreading the virus is low, including outdoor patios.
Additionally, the province said the vaccine certificate wouldn't be required for retail shopping, salons, banks, places of worship, and take-out or delivery of food services.
LOCAL REACTION FROM BUSINESS OWNERS
Simcoe Muskoka's top doctor said he would support the vaccine certificate being in place for the entirety of the fourth wave, adding, "that could very well be for many weeks."
Justin Kim, a gym owner in Barrie, said he has mixed feelings about the announcement.
"On the one hand, I believe it may be a pathway to allow gyms to remain open through this fourth wave. But on the other hand, I think people who have made the decision not to be vaccinated are being deprived of their best defence against COVID, which is physical fitness and good metabolic health," said Kim, owner of The Movement Headquarters Inc.
Ford suggested it would be each business' responsibility to check customer's proof of vaccination. "We will rely on people and businesses to do the right thing."
Enrico Angelucci, co-owner of Il Buco, said they would "follow instruction from the government."
"We are not going to have a choice," he said.
Angelucci added that he expects to lose business because of the vaccine certificate requirements.
"From the beginning, the [government] told us to close the restaurant. We closed the restaurant. They told us to do the count, and we did the count. Now they are going to tell us to expect people to be double vaccinated and see this passport. If that is what's they want, that's what we are going to do."
HOW TO GET A VACCINE CERTIFICATE
Vaccinated residents should have a paper copy or email version of their vaccination status.
The province said it would develop additional tools to improve the certificate, including a new verification app.
Individuals will be required to show their vaccination receipt and another photo ID to access specific non-essential venues.
"This is a temporary tool that we won't use for a day longer than we have to," the premier added.
Residents with a green health card can log in to the provincial portal to download or print their vaccine receipt.
Anyone with a white and red health card can call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-888-999-6488 to get a copy of their vaccination receipt by email.
NO CELL PHONE, NO PROBLEM
Print your proof of vaccination at the Barrie Library free of charge.
Public libraries are not included in the list of settings requiring proof of immunization, so residents who can't print certificates at home or download them can head to the library for a copy.
The staff at either library will offer assistance if needed to print a vaccine receipt.
What you need:
- Bring your health card to fill out the online form
- Head to the province's website to access your vaccine receipt
- Once the form is complete, print it from a public computer at the library
- Make sure staff know you are printing your vaccine receipt, and they will waive the printing fee.
Some residents have chosen to laminate their receipts for safe keeping, however, it's not necessary.
With files from CTV News Toronto
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.