City prepares to roll out Ontario’s proof of vaccination at municipal facilities
Monday, September 20, 2021
Following the provincial health order, effective September 22, 2021, those seeking access to City facilities are required to show proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they can enter the area.
Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces and areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities where proof of vaccination is required includes:
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Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site
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GFL Memorial Gardens
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John Rhodes Community Centre Arenas
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John Rhodes Pool
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McMeeken Arena
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Northern Community Centre
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Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre (proof of vaccination not required to access services provided in the lobby area)
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Seniors Centres – Bay Street Active Living Centre 55+ and the Northern Community Centre Active 55+
Exemptions to providing proof of vaccination include:
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Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering for work purposes and not as patrons.
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Those entering an indoor area solely for the purposes of: using a washroom, accessing an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route, making a retail purchase, placing or picking up an order, paying for an order, purchasing admission; or health and safety.
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Those entering indoor premises of a meeting or event space in a cemetery, crematorium or similar establishment that provides funeral, cemetery or cremation services.
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Children 11 years of age and under who do not qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Those 12 to 18 years of age, who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities to actively participate in an organized sport. The exemption does not apply to youth who are spectators at sporting events.
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Proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and proof of identification is required for patrons 18 years and older, including parents or guardians of youth actively participating in an organized sport.
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Patrons who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician or by a registered nurse in the extended class, that sets out: i) a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and ii) the effective time-period for the medical reason.
“We all want our facilities to return to their regular usage, and to get to that point we must continue to follow the advice and guidance of government leaders and health care professionals,” said Malcolm White, CAO. “It is paramount that we take the necessary precautions to continue to protect the health and safety of our community.”
City ambassadors and security will be at identified screening points upon entry. Validation of identification must show the name of the identification holder and date of birth as well as verify that the date of administration of the final shot is at least fourteen days prior to the patron seeking access to a facility. All other public health measure including masking and physical distancing continue to apply.
The provincial government has released the
regulations and
guidance for businesses and organizations, including municipalities, to support them in implementing
proof of vaccination requirements which take effect on September 22, 2021. Ontario is developing an enhanced vaccine certificate with a unique QR code. The enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app will be available by October 22, 2021.
For more information, visit
saultstemarie.ca/COVID19.