Ontario premier releases statement one day before COVID-19 vaccine certificate is implemented
CTV
Premier Doug Ford is acknowledging concerns about civil liberties as the province gets set to implement a vaccine passport system but he says that the “greater concern” remains shutting down businesses amid a “sudden surge” in cases.
A new system that will make it mandatory for Ontarians to be fully vaccinated in order to access many non-essential businesses and settings will take effect at 12:01 a.m.
In order to dine indoors or work out at a gym, Ontarians will initially have to produce a copy of the vaccine receipt they received upon getting their second shot, along with a piece of photo ID.
But the Ford government has said that they plan to have an app ready by Oct. 22 that will allow businesses to simply scan a QR code to confirm a patron’s eligibility to enter.
“There are a lot of people who are concerned about this policy and I want you to know that I hear you. I understand your concerns about protecting your civil liberties and right to privacy. While many fully vaccinated people like myself share these concerns, the greater concern is having to shut down again or experience a sudden surge in cases like in Alberta and Saskatchewan,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement issued on Tuesday morning, hours ahead of the new vaccine requirement going into effect.
