The Ontario government has released guidance for businesses and organizations to support them in implementing the proof of identification and proof of vaccination requirements, commonly called a ‘vaccine passport’, that takes effect Wednesday, September 22nd.

Government officials provided details during a technical media briefing on Tuesday morning, followed by an official announcement by health minister Christine Elliott Tuesday afternoon.

“To ensure individuals, families, and business know what to expect, today we are sharing new materials and guidance to prepare them for these changes and to help address any questions,” Elliott said.

As of September 22, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide proof of identification and proof of vaccination to access certain public settings and facilities. Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal at covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-booking-support.

The government says it is working on additional supports and services to assist Ontario residents who need help obtaining proof of vaccination, including requesting a copy be sent by mail. Those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt, including those who do not have access to a computer or printer, can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

There have been two changes since Ontario’s original announcement on September 1.

Although the government originally stated photo identification would be required to accompany proof of vaccination, it has expanded acceptable forms of identification to those that contain your name and date of birth.

Proof of identification can include a birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, citizenship card, driver’s licence, a government-issued identification card (Ontario or other) including a health card, and an Indian Status Card or Indigenous Membership Card. The name and birth date on the identification must match the ones on the vaccine receipt.

The government has also expanded the list of businesses or organizations where proof of vaccination is required to include indoor areas of commercial film and television productions with studio audiences and indoor areas of waterparks.

The full list of indoor settings where proof of identification and proof of vaccination is required is as follows:

• Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments without dance facilities. Outdoor patios and delivery and takeout are excluded.
• Indoor and outdoor areas of food or drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs, restoclubs, and other similar establishments. Delivery and takeout are excluded.
• Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces, including banquet halls and conference and convention centres (with limited exceptions)
• Indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including fitness/sporting/recreational facilities, pools, leagues, sporting events, waterparks, indoor areas of facilities where spectators watch events, and personal physical fitness training, with limited exemptions
• 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 horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues
• Indoor areas where commercial film and TV productions take place with studio audiences. Cast and crew members are excluded.

Proof of identification and proof of vaccination requirements do not apply to businesses or organizations not listed above, including those that provide access to necessary medical care, groceries, and basic medical supplies.

PDF: COVID-19 Vaccine Update – Technical Media Briefing – September 14, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Update - Technical Media Briefing - September 14, 2021

The government has also confirmed the exemptions to the proof of identification and proof of vaccination requirements, including:

• Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons.
• A patron who is entering an indoor area solely to use a washroom, to access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route, to make a retail purchase, while placing or picking up an order (including placing a bet or picking up winnings in the case of a horse racing track), while paying for an order, to purchase admission, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
• Children under 12 years of age.
• Patrons under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport, including training, practices, games and competitions. This includes sports leagues, organized pick-up sports, dance classes, martial arts, and swimming classes. It does not include youth who are spectators at sporting event, or youth who are using a gym or other area with exercise equipment or weights unless actively participating in an organized sport.
• Patrons who are entering the indoor premises of a meeting or event space, including a conference centre or convention centre, solely for the purposes of attending a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a funeral service, rite or ceremony, but not an associated social gathering. Patrons attending an associated social gathering between September 22 to October 13 will have to provide the results of an antigen test administered within the previous 48 hours establishing that the person is negative for COVID-19.
• Patrons who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician, registered nurse, or nurse practitioner, stating the person is exempt for a medical reason from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the effective time period for the medical reason. Patrons with a medical exemption are required to present identification as well as the medical exemption document.

Patrons are required to ensure that any information they provide to the business or organization to demonstrate proof of identification and proof of vaccination (or proof of qualifying for an exemption) is complete and accurate.

Businesses or organizations are responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements regarding proof of identification and proof of vaccination, including matching the name and the date of
birth of the patron listed on the vaccination receipt against the name and date of birth on a piece of identification and verifying the validity of the receipt (either an Ontario receipt issued at the time of vaccination or any format of receipt downloaded from Ontario.ca that shows the holder is fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or a receipt signed by an Indigenous Health Provider or a receipt from another jurisdiction that shows the holder is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Businesses or organizations are also responsible for verifying the receipt shows that the holder is fully vaccinated and verifying the date of administration of the final shot in the series is at least 14 days prior to the date the patron is seeking access to the business or organization.

Proof of identification and proof of vaccination requirements will be enforced by provincial offences officers, which can include by-law, police, public health inspectors, and regulatory officers from several ministries and agencies. Provincial offences officers may take a measured approach to enforcing orders, starting with education and warnings.

Failing to comply with proof of identification and proof of vaccination requirements can result in charges under the Reopening Ontario Act, with set fines of $750 for individuals and $1,000 for corporations. Maximum penalties based on a prosecution under the Reopening Ontario Act are up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail for an individual, up to $500,000 and up to a year in jail for an individual who is a director or officer of a corporation, and up to $10 million for a corporation.

In situations where a business or organization faces harassment or threats of acts of violence, the government says they should contact law enforcement.

For more information, visit the Ontario government website to download Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act and Questions and Answers for businesses related to the guidance.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is bringing a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on a modified GO Transit bus to Haliburton and Lindsay in September.

A partnership between the Ontario government and Metrolinx, two GO-VAXX buses have been travelling to malls, festivals, community hubs, and events over the summer.

A GO-VAXX bus will be in Haliburton County from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 19th. The bus will be at Abbey Gardens at 1012 Garden Gate Drive, located 10 minutes from Haliburton Village (towards Carnarvon) just off Highway 118.

On Sunday, September 26th from 5 to 9 p.m., the GO-VAXX bus will be at the Lindsay Exhibition at 354 Angeline Street South, coinciding with the demolition derby at LEX.

“We’re pleased to be working with the province and Metrolinx to bring the GO-VAXX bus to our communities,” says Doreen Boville, a health promoter with the health unit, in a media release. “We encourage anyone who still needs COVID-19 vaccine to get aboard the bus and get a first or second dose so they are fully protected against COVID-19, especially as we head into a fourth wave.”

Each GO-VAXX bus operates as a fully functioning vaccine clinic, with the necessary supplies and trained staff to provide assistance to people and ensure vaccines are administered safely. All COVID-19 safety precautions are followed on board, including the required pre-vaccination screening and post-vaccination monitoring.

The buses are fully accessible and no appointment is needed.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of the GO-VAXX bus to receive a vaccine is reminded to bring their health card. If you do not have a health card or your health card is expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, Status card, or birth certificate.

The health unit recommends you dress for the weather in case there is a line-up, while wearing clothing that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting shirt or top.

Wear a mask that covers your nose, mouth, and chin and do not visit the GO-VAXX bus if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

A 37-year-old Emily Township man is dead after he was struck by a motor vehicle early Monday morning (September 13) on Highway 7 just west of Emily Park Road near Omemee.

Just after 4 a.m. on Monday, City of Kawartha Lakes OPP received a call that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle travelling east bound on Highway 7.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have identified the victim as Justin Saunders, 37, of Emily Township.

Highway 7 was closed until 11 a.m. for a police investigation.

Police are asking any witnesses to the incident to contact the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP detachment at 1-705-324-6741, the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stopper at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at kh.crimestoppersweb.com.

The OPP is reminding pedestrians to stay off highways when travelling and to wear high visibility or reflective clothing when visibility and lighting is limited. The public can report dangerous conditions to the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122.

Kaawaate East City Public School is reporting Peterborough’s first school-related case of COVID-19 in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

On Saturday night (September 11), school principal Marguerite Masterson sent an email to parents, guardians, and staff advising the school was notified by Peterborough Public Health of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at the school.

Masterson’s email does not indicate if the case is a student or a teacher or another school employee.

“What we can share is that the individual is isolating at home, and that (Peterborough Public Health) has investigated and has determined that no students or staff members are deemed high-risk contacts related to this case,” Masterson writes.

Masterson wrote the school was to be disinfected by an electrostatic sprayer on Saturday night. The school will remain open and will continue to follow public health protocols including thorough cleaning and disinfecting, frequent handwashing, mask wearing inside the school, physical distancing, and any other requirements from the health unit.

Students, employees, and visitors to the school are asked to complete the provincial government’s daily self-screening tool at covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/.

“We will let families know of any further developments,” Masterson writes. “Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Peterborough’s newest school, Kaawaate East City Public School opened its doors for this first time on Tuesday (September 7).

The newly constructed school is located at 250 Hunter Street East, beside the building that was formerly King George Public School.

The school’s population of 610 from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 includes students from King George as well as the now-closed Armour Heights Public School.

Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.

Ontario is reporting 857 new cases today, with the seven-day average of daily cases decreasing by 13 to 716.

Of Ontario’s 34 health units, 2 are reporting triple-digit increases — Toronto (170) and Peel (100) — with 13 reporting double-digit increases — York (77), Ottawa (73), Hamilton (55), Windsor-Essex (50), Simcoe Muskoka (33), Durham (29), Niagara (29), Waterloo (29), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (26), Chatham-Kent (24), Middlesex-London (24), Brant (23), and Halton (18) — and 1 (Timiskaming) reporting no new cases at all.

Of the new cases, 67% are people who have not been fully vaccinated (58% have not received any doses and 9% have received only one dose) and 25% are people who have been fully vaccinated with two doses, with the vaccination status unknown for 8% of the cases because of a missing or invalid health card number. The 7-day average case rate is 11 per 100,000 for unvaccinated people, 7.92 per 100,000 for partially vaccinated people, and 1.61 per 100,000 for fully vaccinated people.

Hospitalizations have increased by 2 to 363, with the number of ICU patients increasing by 3 to 180 and the number of ICU patients on ventilators increasing by 1 to 114. Ontario is reporting 8 new COVID-related deaths.

Over 21.13 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 40,220 from yesterday, with over 10.15 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 23,688 from yesterday, representing almost 68.7% of Ontario’s total population.

For a daily summary of cases in Ontario, including a breakdown of cases in each of Ontario’s 34 health units, visit ontario.ca/page/how-ontario-is-responding-covid-19.

Numbers are unavailable for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Hastings Prince Edward as the respective health units do not issue reports on weekends. Regional numbers for Saturday and Sunday will be included in Monday’s update.

As of September 10, there are 102 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 45 in Peterborough, 31 in Hastings Prince Edward (19 in Belleville, 4 in Central Hastings, 3 in Quinte West, 2 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, 2 in North Hastings, and 1 in Prince Edward County), 18 in Kawartha Lakes, 6 in Haliburton, and 2 in Northumberland.

Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,745 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,677 resolved with 23 deaths), 1,252 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,189 resolved with 58 deaths), 974 in Northumberland County (955 resolved with 17 deaths), 133 in Haliburton County (126 resolved with 1 death), and 1,312 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,269 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on September 10.

For detailed data for each health unit, visit the COVID-19 trackers for Peterborough Public Health, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Peterborough police are asking for the public’s help after two shooting incidents on Friday afternoon (September 10) and the following morning.

Just after 2 p.m. Friday, officers were called to the area of Park Street South and Romaine Street in Peterborough about a shooting. A male was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Shortly after midnight on Saturday, officers were called to the area of Rubidge Street, between Dalhousie Street and Sherbrooke Street, about a shooting. A male was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police say it is not yet known if the two incidents are related, but they do not believe the incidents are random.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 x555.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at stopcrimehere.ca.