Everything you need to know about the vaccine passport in Hamilton
Beginning Wednesday, provincewide system requires proof of inoculation to enter most indoor public spaces
On Wednesday, Ontario is launching its proof of vaccination system. This system requires people entering certain businesses and other locations to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 amid the fourth wave of the pandemic, the province said. In the coming weeks, an enhanced vaccine certificate and a verification app for businesses will be available.
Here’s everything you need to know about the system.
Where will the passports be in use? Vaccine passports will be required mostly
for indoor public settings. These include:
> Indoor restaurants and bars;
> Nightclubs (indoors and outdoors);
> Meeting and event spaces; > Sports and fitness facilities (gyms, recreational facilities);
> Sporting events;
> Gambling establishments;
> Concerts and music festivals;
> Theatres and cinemas;
> Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
> Racing venues. The vaccine passport system does not apply to outdoor settings, including patios, or to medical settings, grocery stores or medical supply stores. Without proof of vaccination, you’re also able to place and pick up orders at restaurants or other venues, make retail purchases and access social services at Hamilton recreation centres.
You’re still required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status.
Who is considered to be fully vaccinated?
To be considered fully vaccinated, you must have two doses of eligible vaccines and it must be at least 14 days since your second dose.
A recent negative COVID-19 test is not a valid replacement for full vaccination to enter locations covered by the vaccine certificate system.
I’m not vaccinated, but I want to be. How can I get my shots?
Vaccination clinics in Hamilton are ongoing. For a list of locations you can receive your shots at and for information on how to book them, visit Hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19vaccination.
Who is exempt from providing proof of vaccination?
Children 11 years of age or younger who are currently unable to be vaccinated are exempt from the vaccine passport system, as are those with a medical exemption. If a child is accompanied by an adult, the adult must be fully vaccinated and comply with the vaccine passport system.
If you’re under 18 years of age and unvaccinated, you’re still able to enter sports and recreational facilities to participate in organized sports.
If you have a recognized medical exemption, you’ll be permitted entry to public spaces with a doctor’s note. Eventually, you’ll be able to upload your medical exemption to the vaccine passport system.
What information do I need to provide?
You need to provide proof of vaccination along with proof of identity.
Examples of identification you can use include a birth certificate, a citizenship card, a driver’s licence, government issued ID (including a health card or an Ontario photo card), an Indigenous status card, a passport or a permanent resident card.
Until the provincial enhanced vaccine certificate is complete, you can present either a digital or printed copy of your vaccine receipt.
A grass-roots organization created a tool to make uploading your vaccine receipts to your iPhone’s Wallet easier. Visit grassroots.vaccine-ontario.ca for a detailed guide on how to do so.
If you don’t have an iPhone or you’d rather carry a physical copy of your vaccine receipt, the Hamilton Public Library is offering free printing and laminating services to keep your records safe from wear. For more information, visit HPL.ca/VaccineCertificates.
Where can I access the information needed for the passport?
Vaccine receipts can be downloaded as a PDF to your phone, computer or tablet, or they can be printed.
Your vaccine receipt can be printed or downloaded from the provincial booking portal, or you can call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833943-3900 to request a vaccine receipt.
If you received your vaccine(s) outside of Ontario, contact your local public health unit to obtain the required documentation.
How is the City of Hamilton enforcing the proof of vaccination system?
The City of Hamilton bylaw enforcement will ensure businesses and individuals are complying with the vaccine passport system.
If businesses or individuals don’t comply with the vaccine certificate system, they can be charged and fined under the Reopening Ontario Act.
What does this mean for my business?
Participating in the provincewide vaccine certificate system is not optional for businesses. Workers are responsible for confirming the name and date of birth of patrons matches the information on their vaccine receipt.
If you’re a business owner and you have any questions about the vaccine passport system and how it’ll impact your business, call the Stop the Spread information line at 1-888-4443659. You can also contact the Hamilton COVID concierge for business at Hamiltoncovidconcierge.ca.