Thread by @jeffgilchrist

COVID-19: Ontario vaccine passports

Ontario's vaccine passport is coming into effect in two days on September 22nd and more details have now emerged how this will be implemented ( news.ontario.ca/en/release/100… ). 🧵1/

The proof does not apply to "Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons." ( health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/program… ). 2/

Unvaccinated workers are 6.7x more likely to become infected and can still spread the virus to others at these locations. Over the last week, vaccines are still 85.2% effective at reducing infections ( gilchrist.ca/jeff/COVID-19/… ). 3/

There seem to be a few surprises when you look at the specific details such as special exemptions that people do not need to provide proof of vaccination when... 4/

..."entering the indoor premises of a meeting or event space, including a conference centre or convention centre, solely for the purposes of attending a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a funeral service, rite or ceremony, but not an associated social gathering" 5/

Anyone can attend an event inside in a conference center or convention centre and is deemed "safe enough" by the government if the event is a wedding ceremony or funeral service, but the same location is magically not "safe" if anything other than a wedding or funeral is held. 6/

It seems the government must have negotiated a special agreement with the COVID-19 virus to stay away from those locations only in some specific circumstances... 7/

The unvaccinated can also attend the social gathering portion of a funeral service, rite, or ceremony, if it happens to be located in a place of worship or a funeral establishment, cemetery, or crematorium. 8/

From Sept. 22 to Oct. 22 the province will be using the vaccine receipt which was emailed to you after your second shot, or can be downloaded from the provincial vaccine portal ( covid19.ontariohealth.ca ) or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900. 9/

They don't explain how but claim this version of the COVID-19 vaccination receipt contains security measures to deter forgery. 10/

People will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated and proof of identification where the person's name and date of birth on both pieces match. Photo ID is not required. 11/

Failing to comply with the requirements can result in a fine of $750 for individuals and $1,000 for corporations. 12/

Maximum penalties include fines up to $100,000 and 1 year in jail for an individual and $500,000 and up to a year in jail for an individual who is a director or officer of a corporation and up to $10 million for a corporation. 13/

Obstructing any person exercising a power or performing a duty (including workers) in accordance with these requirements can also result in charges. 14/

An enhanced vaccine certificate as well as verification app to allow businesses or organizations to read the QR code will be available on Oct. 22nd. 15/

After Oct. 22nd people will be able to provide a paper copy or digital copy of either their enhanced vaccine certificate or older version of the receipt as proof of vaccination. 16/