Ontarians need QR code to prove vaccination next week. Here's what you need to know
CBC
Ontario residents will need a QR code to prove their vaccination status as of Jan. 4.
That means starting next Tuesday, if you want to eat inside a restaurant, or sit in at a bar, movie theatre or other settings, proof of vaccination without a QR code won't be enough.
The province also said those places won't be able to accept doctor notes as of Jan. 10. (Those with an eligible medical exemption can ask their doctor or a registered nurse to submit the exemption for review in order to receive a QR code.)
Here's what you need to know about getting your QR code, including how to get a free card that features your code.
After getting vaccinated, you'll get an email to access your vaccine certificate. The link in the email expires after some time, so you'll want to access it sooner than later.
You'll need your health card number and birthday to get the QR code.
If you don't click the link in your email in time or are in between shots, you can get your certificate through the online portal or by calling 1-833-943-3900. (Those who have a red and white health card or don't have any Ontario health card can call the same number.)
The Ontario Ministry of Health has previously pointed people without computers or printers to libraries to get their vaccine certificates.
Several library systems in the province, such as those in Hamilton, Arnprior on the Ottawa River and Southgate Public Library in Bruce County, are also laminating proof of vaccination.
Lisa Radha Weaver, Hamilton Public Library's (HPL) director of collections and program development, said HPL has been helping people download, print and laminate their vaccine certificates since mid-September. QR codes became available for printing as well in October.
Weaver said the program has been popular, with roughly 9,500 people using the service in December alone.
The library allows for 10 free printed pages per day, which means one of them can be the single page with the vaccine certificate. And if someone wants to get the certificate laminated, HPL staff will laminate one page per library member for free.
Of course, you need a library card to access these services.
Weaver said people use the service because they don't have smart phone or internet access.
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