Unvaccinated in Simcoe Muskoka: Here's what you need to know
The Ontario government announced a new COVID-19 vaccine certificate that will come into play on Sept. 22, limiting what businesses unvaccinated residents can access.
The move focuses on indoor public settings, such as bars and restaurants, where there can be close contact without face masks and large crowds.
Anyone who can't receive the vaccine because of valid medical reasons or children born after 2009 is exempt.
WHAT VENUES WILL REQUIRE A VACCINE CERTIFICATE
Only people with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are considered fully vaccinated and should obtain their vaccine receipt.
A negative COVID-19 test will not entitle an individual to enter businesses that require proof of immunization.
Residents who choose not to be immunized will not be able to access the following indoor public settings where face coverings can't always be worn:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
- Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
- Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities except for youth recreational sport;
- Sporting events;
- Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
- Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
- Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs; and
- Racing venues (such as horse racing).
WHAT CAN UNVACCINATED RESIDENTS ACCESS
The province's vaccine certificate doesn't apply to outdoor settings where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low.
Residents who haven't received a vaccine won't be denied access to essential services, such as grocery stores and health care.
Additionally, the province doesn't require residents to be vaccinated to access the following:
- Retail shopping;
- Salons and barbershops;
- Banks;
- Places of worship;
- Essential services (such as grocery stores, medical supplies, etc.);
- Outdoor patios and outdoor spaces (except for nightclubs).
The province decided to exempt settings like salons because data revealed transmission of COVID-19 is low due to strong safety measures in place.
The government said residents and businesses that don't comply with the new rules would face penalties, such as fines.
HOW TO PROVE VACCINATION STATUS
Vaccine receipts are available as paper receipts or can be downloaded on a computer, phone or tablet.
Residents who received their vaccine out of province should contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to record their information and receive proper documentation.
Photo identification is required (such as a health or driver's licence), along with proof of vaccination status.
For details on how to get proof of your immunization, call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line 1-888-999-6488.
On Oct. 22, the province plans to introduce an enhanced vaccine certificate and a verification app where businesses can scan a QR code.
WHY IMPLEMENT A VACCINE CERTIFICATE
The Ontario government aims to get as many people vaccinated as possible and avoid another lockdown as the fourth wave of COVID-19 drives cases upwards, mainly due to the Delta variant.
Ontario's health minister said the provincial vaccine appointment portal saw bookings more than double since the vaccine certificate system was announced 24 hours ago.
The health minister did not provide the number of new bookings.
In Simcoe Muskoka, the health unit reports most positive COVID-19 tests are among unvaccinated residents.
On Thursday, public health logged 34 new COVID-19 cases. Of those, the health unit reports 25 are unvaccinated individuals.
The health unit has opened several walk-in vaccination clinics across Simcoe Muskoka for anyone wishing to get their shot.
A complete list of clinics offering first and second doses with no appointment necessary is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
NEW 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire': A crowd pleaser that turns it up to 11
Hot on the heels of last year's 'Godzilla Minus One' comes 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' the first ever Academy Award winner in the giant reptile's decades-long film career.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.