Starting today, patrons at restaurants, gyms and more in Ontario must present a receipt of vaccination and ID

Starting today (Sept. 22), patrons at dine-in restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, sports facilities and other venues in Ontario must present a receipt of full vaccination along with government identification as the province’s new COVID-19 vaccine certificate system goes into effect

Doctors’ notes for medical exemptions will be accepted, but businesses that don’t comply with the checks required by the system and patrons who give false information may be fined. However, businesses, bylaw officers, police forces and the province say enforcement will be gentle at first.

Premier Doug Ford has said he understands some people are concerned their civil liberties are being infringed upon, but the greater concern is another surge in infections that requires locking down the province again.

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