Launch of vaccine app and QR codes will enable Ontarians to obtain COVID-19 vaccine certificates

BY PAUL JUNOR

Ontarians were able to access QR codes starting Friday October 15^th, 2021 for those born between January and April and continuing for those who were born in other months. The Ontario government released information about the enhanced vaccine certificate at its COVID-19 vaccination portal, which can be seen at covid19.ontariohealth.ca. This portal is intended to “ensure a smooth user experience”.

The province initially made the enhanced vaccine certificate available for download in cohorts based on an individual’s birth month over a period of three days.

• January to April: October 15^th
• May to August: October 16^th
• September to December: October 17^th

By 6:00 a.m. on October 18^th, all vaccinated Ontarians were able to download the enhanced vaccine certificates. By calling the Provincial Centre at 1-833-943-3900 the enhanced vaccine certificate could be emailed or mailed to vaccinated Ontarians.

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario released a statement, “I want to thank every Ontarian for their patience and cooperation as we implemented our proof of vaccination policy. The enhanced vaccine certificates and Verify Ontario app will give our businesses further comfort in their ability to operate safely as we take further steps to protect people’s privacy. These certificates remain a key element of our plan to protect the gain we have made while avoiding future lockdowns.”

Ontarians will need to show the following as proof:

• Each person in Ontario can use the electronic version of their vaccine certificate or print a paper copy to show at various businesses and services
• Alternatively, the original vaccine receipt from when residents were inoculated can also be shown
• Ontarians will also have to show a piece of identification with their name and date of birth with their proof of vaccination

Here is a list of locations where proof of vaccinations will be required:

• Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, night clubs, strip clubs, food and drink establishments (excluding patios, delivery/take out pickups, to use the washroom)
• Indoor areas of gyms, recreational and fitness facilities
• Social gathering associated with a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a social gathering associated with a funeral service, rite or ceremony in a meeting or event space
• Casinos, bingo halls, indoor areas of horse racing tracks
• Indoor concert venues, cinemas and spectator sporting events

It was possible for businesses to download the Verify Ontario app from the Apple app and Google Play stores before October 22^nd. The app will indicate vaccination status of an individual.

With respect to the issue of privacy, the app does not store personal medical information. For those individuals who have medical or religious exemptions, these will not be able to be incorporated into the app at this current time.

There are three advocacy organizations that have expressed concerns that the Ontario government “Failed to consider the needs of people with disabilities, including those who are cognitively impaired, have mobility issues or are legally blind, as well as seniors on a fixed income, low-income people and homeless people.”

Marginalized groups who do not have access to: smart phones, computers, printers, Internet access, data plan or the ability to navigate the provincial website will be unfairly impacted. This is short-sightedness on the part of the Ontario government.