Province expanding booster shot eligibility, tightening proof of vaccination requirements

vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app in settings where proof of vaccination is required. The new requirement comes into effect Jan. 4.

duce proof of vaccination.

MIDWESTERN NEWSPAPERS STAFF

TORONTO – The provincial government has announced measures to expand eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots and tighten proof of vaccination requirements in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers and the spread of the Omicron variant.

The government is also urging Ontarians to limit social activity over the holiday season.

“As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant, we are taking additional measures to protect our progress as we head into the winter months,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott at a Dec. 10 press conference.

“Getting vaccinated and adhering to public health and workplace safety measures will continue to protect us and our loved ones against COVID and variants, but we won’t hesitate to continue to take swift action to ensure the continued health and safety of all Ontarians.”

Provincial officials announced it is abandoning the target of lifting of proof of vaccination requirements by Jan. 17. The reopening plan announced in October stipulated “that doing so was contingent on the absence of concerning trends.”

Other measures announced at the press conference include requiring the use of the enhanced

The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code by visiting https://covid-19. ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.

The government will also be strengthening the verification process for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions by requiring a certificate with a QR code. Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as of Jan. 10. In addition, as of Dec. 20, youth aged 12 to 17 years participating in organized sports at recreational facilities will be required to pro-

While not formally changing gathering limits (currently 25 people indoors, 100 outdoors) the provinces is urging voluntary limitation of gatherings and social activity

“On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontarians are strongly advised to limit their social gatherings and the number of gatherings they attend over the holiday season,” states the release.

“Additional precautions should be taken if all individuals are not fully vaccinated or where vaccination status is unknown. Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.”

The province is also expanding booster dose eligibility to all Ontarians 18 years of age and older as of Jan. 4, with appointments to be booked approximately six months after receiving a second dose.

Currently individuals over 70 and medically high-risk individuals are eligible for booster shots. The age range was already set to expand to 50 and over as of Dec. 13.

The government states the latest move will expand booster eligibility to approximately 5.5 million people.

As part of its enhanced winter testing strategy the province is launching a holiday testing blitz next week to offer voluntary rapid antigen screening to asymptomatic individuals free of charge.

Two million rapid tests will be provided at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets and transit hubs, the release states.

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