COVID-19 Update for September 14, 2021 – Ontario Releases More Details on Proof of Vaccination Policy

­Ontario Releases More Details on Proof of Vaccination Policy

With provincial vaccine passports set to come into effect next week, Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott released details on Ontario residents needing to print or download their second dose receipt from the government website in order to enter vaccine-mandated businesses.

Beginning September 22, individuals must provide proof of their vaccination status along with government-issued identification prior to entry, and businesses will instruct employees to match the name and date of birth listed on the vaccination certificate with the ID information at the door. The certificate must be for the second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and the date of administration must be at least 14 days prior. Children who are not yet eligible for the vaccine are exempt from these requirements.

Associate Minister of Digital Government Kaleed Rasheed said a digital version of a provincial vaccine certificate is “on track” to launch October 22. This “enhanced” certificate will provide residents with a QR code, and equip businesses with a free certification app to scan these QR codes. More guidance on the app will be provided to businesses in advance of its distribution.

To date, over 10 million Ontarians have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and in the week following the government’s announcement requiring proof of vaccination, an additional 90,000 first doses were administered— an increase of nearly 30 percent.

You can read the full news release on the provincial vaccination policy guidelines here.