Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine certificate plan to bar unvaccinated from many businesses, services

Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine certificate plan will mandate residents show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they can access a slew of non-essential businesses and services.

The first step of the plan goes into effect on September 22. That’s when Ontarians will have to show a piece of photo ID and their printed or downloaded vaccine receipt, that be accessed on the Ontario.ca portal, before gaining entrance to certain public settings and facilities (full list below).

A month later, on October 22, the second phase of the plan goes into effect. That’s when Ontarians will have to show government-issued certificates that will include a unique QR code that can be scanned on phones. The document can also be printed out on paper.

The province says it is also launching a new app that businesses and facilities can use to scan and validate the QR codes. While retail is not included, the app will be made available to any business that wants to implement their own proof-of-vaccination program.

Medical exemptions will show up on the QR code.

Individuals or businesses that don’t follow the rules could face a series of fines under the Reopening Ontario Act — up to $730 for individuals and $1,000 and up for businesses.

Proof of vaccination will not be required for services deemed essential, and residents won’t need it to vote in the upcoming federal election. Barbers and salons are also not included.

Ontarians will need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated, starting September 22, to access the following (not including those with medical exemptions and children under 12):

• 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 with the exception of youth recreational sport
• Sporting events
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs
• Racing venues (e.g. horse racing)

“At no time will anyone be prevented from accessing necessary medical care, food from grocery store, basic medical supplies or other essentials based on vaccination status. This includes voting in the upcoming federal election,” the government document states.

The province says it will establish processes in the coming weeks for individuals with no email or health card ID.

Premier Doug Ford has faced pressure from opposition leaders and numerous health organizations who have been calling for a provincially administered proof-of-vaccine system.

Ford was initially set to announce the certificate on Tuesday, but the announcement was delayed after he reportedly rejected the initial drafts of the plan.

Ford has long pushed back against the idea, saying as recently as July 15, he was “not going to do it” and that he was not in favour of having a “split society.”