Brampton Mayor supports expanding proof of vaccination mandate

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Published December 29, 2021 at 4:00 pm

With COVID-19 cases climbing once again due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, many are concerned about returning restrictions in Ontario.

In response, some are calling on the Province to expand the current proof of vaccination requirements to more businesses to encourage those who remain hesitant to get vaccinated.

While the decision to do so would be a controversial one, it’s one Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown would support.

“Requiring proof of vaccination previously caused an uptick in vaccinations, so I do believe it’s a helpful tool,” Brown said during a press conference on Wednesday (December 29). “So whatever tools we can use to increase our vaccination rates at this point, knowing how effective vaccinations are in averting severe outcomes, I would welcome those expansions of protection.”

When the mandate was initially implemented, vaccine appointments increased significantly, something Brown emphasized as a reason to expand the types of businesses where it is required.

“It will encourage more people to get vaccinated, that’s a reality, that’s what we’ve seen in the past,” he said. “When it was first implemented it caused an uptick in vaccinations.”

Brown also pointed out increasing the number of businesses that require proof of vaccination can help ease the stress some feel when attending facilities or venues.

“It helps create confidence that the environment someone is going into is a safe one,” he said.

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