VACCINE REQUIRED Ontarians will need patience with proof-of-vaccination system, Ford says

Some business groups are calling for an end to capacity limits

TORONTO — Patrons of indoor dining, gyms, movie theatres and certain other venues in Ontario now have to show proof they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — a system the premier imposed reluctantly as a way to avoid future lockdowns.

Premier Doug Ford said the vaccine certificate requirements that came into effect Wednesday will be a temporary measure that he will lift as soon as he is able, though he would not divulge what his criteria will be for ending it except that it will be based on advice from the chief medical officer of health and other public health experts.

“I know that many people are concerned about the certificate, and what it means for your civil liberties,” Ford said.

“I want you to know that I hear you. Our government understands your concerns. And it’s no secret that I was reluctant to use this tool. But our highest concern, what keeps me up at night, is ensuring we never lose our hard-fought progress.”

In the meantime, while the proof-of-vaccination system is in place, Ford urged Ontarians not to take frustrations out on businesses and their staff.

“It’s important that each of us remain patient, especially with business owners and front-line workers implementing the vaccine certificate,” he said. “They’ve gone through so much during this pandemic, and deserve our support.”

Some business groups have called for Ontario to lift capacity limits — as venues such as gyms, yoga studios, bowling alleys and concert halls remain capped at 50 per cent capacity — now that all customers have to be vaccinated.

When asked Wednesday, Ford was non-committal, but said he will work with the chief medical officer on “having a few more people go into restaurants, other locations.”

At Italian restaurant Sud Forno in downtown Toronto, diner Marie Metcalfe said the vaccine certificate system prompted her to eat indoors at a restaurant for the first time since the pandemic began.

“It was a delight to know that I could do it safely,” she said.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, has said he believes the system will lead to a boost in vaccinations, particularly among those aged 20 to 39 since that cohort often frequents venues covered by the system.

The latest provincial data shows that 85.3 per cent of Ontarians over the age of 12 have one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and nearly 79.4 per cent have two doses.

While venues will have to check paper or digital vaccine receipts with identification at first, the province has said it will streamline the process with a planned Oct. 22 launch of a QR code and verification app for businesses.