Starting September 22, proof that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to access non-essential businesses in Ontario.
Until October 22, you can produce a copy of your vaccine receipt from the Ministry of Health. (Click here to access a copy of your receipt.) After October 22, the province’s QR code and verification app will come into effect and residents will need to request a vaccine certificate through a provincial portal.
To be eligible for a vaccine certificate, you must have both doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Wherever proof of vaccination is required, you will need to present your vaccine certificate along with a government-issued ID.
Ontarians will need to provide proof of vaccine in most non-essential settings, including:
- Restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments (excluding patios)
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas)
- Indoor meeting and event spaces
- Sports and recreational facilities, including gyms, pools, and personal fitness training
- Sporting events
- Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments
- Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres, and cinemas
- Indoor areas of bathhouses, sex clubs and strip clubs
- Indoor areas of racing venues
- Indoor areas where commercial film and TV productions take place with studio audiences.
All other public health measures, like masking and screening, will continue even where a vaccine certificate is required.
You will not need to show proof of vaccination for essential services, or if you have received a medical exemption. Children under age 12 will not need to present a vaccine certificate, nor will youth under age 18 participating in indoor organized sport.
For more information about vaccine receipts, visit ontario.ca.
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In response to Sandra Rae…right now you can download your vaccination receipt issued the day you had the jabs..it is pdf format, so just print it up at 40% scale, and you will have a small version that will fit in with your DL or health card.
Later, when QR codes are issued ( mid October), download and print it..glue it on a big button and wear it like a badge, or keep it in your purse..laminate it if you choose..but you can always reprint it as needed. I might cello tape mine to my ancient cast off free cellphone that only calls 911….that way the establishments can rightfully say they scanned my QR code on my cell phone..lol
Hi, Sandra: it’s my understanding that you can print a hard copy. That is my intention because sometimes my iPhone dies and it takes several minutes to reboot it. However, for those without any technology, I guess you ask a friend or family member with technology, to print a copy of POV. You make a valid point.
What do you do if you don’t have a cell phone. This is a serious question, and I can’t find the answer. Everyone assumes we all have this expensive technology
BJ:
Ditto, GOOD! As we all know, we’ve had mandatory vaccinations for many years. For example, think measles, mumps, rubella. I don’t recall that there were protests /backlash. As of Wednesday, September 22, POV (proof of vaccination) is required for non essential services/businesses/ events (e.g. join a choir, dine in a restaurant, fly, attend a concert). I’ve had to submit POV to 3 places already (choir, YWCA, School Board). I was happy to do so. It’s in place to keep everyone safe. It’s that simple. And that’s all she wrote.
Good!