Proof of vaccine no longer required at Kingsville facilities

Editor’s note: Leamington’s decision was pending a council meeting on Tuesday, March 1. The expectation at press time is that Leamington will follow suit, since they have always followed the provincial lead.

KINGSVILLE — As of March 1, visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination at the Kingsville Arena and other indoor town-owned facilities.

“We’ve been seeing more and more people at the arena the past couple of months,” said Richard Wyma, Kingsville’s Director of Community and Development Services. “With the elimination of the vaccination screening program, the ability to open to full capacity, and staff working diligently to incorporate additional programming opportunities, we’re expecting to see even more people coming out to enjoy programs and activities.”

Visitors must continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and complete a self-screening assessment. The town will continue to monitor provincial and local health unit guidelines and provide updates as they become available.

Ontario’s vaccine certificate system, which required people to show identification and proof of double vaccination before entering non-essential businesses, was first implemented in September 2021 in response to rising COVID-19 infections in the province.

On Friday, February 25, 2022, the Ontario Government released legislation to end the program on March 1 and lifted all remaining capacity limits on facilities.