Hamilton Businesses Prepare to Enforce Immunization Test Policy Ahead of Provincial Launch – Hamilton | The Canadian News

Hamilton is preparing its business for Ontario’s proof of vaccination policy that goes into effect on Wednesday.

Beginning September 22, customers in certain “high risk” settings in the province will be required to provide their ID and receipt of full COVID-19 vaccination to enter locations such as gyms, recreational facilities, cinemas, indoor dining in restaurants and others. non-essential business.

It will still be another month before Ontario launches a phone app with a QR code that businesses can scan at the door, meaning that employees will need to manually check the vaccination status of customers by “visually checking” the information on their receipt and your identification.

Marie Nash, director of operations for the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, said many commercial operators are happy with the vaccine certificate system but are nervous about facing a backlash at their front doors.

“We are hearing from companies whose biggest concern this week is what will happen at the door,” Nash said during the City of Hamilton’s COVID-19 news conference on Monday.

“Many of these companies are already understaffed, so this is an additional layer of complexity.”

Some of them have already been seeing “unnecessary and misinformed comments” on their social media pages, and Nash is pleading with Hamiltonians not to direct their anger at those businesses.

“These companies, which have already faced a difficult year and continue to face obstacles, are doing what the province demands. If you don’t agree with the vaccine testing policy, please direct it to the right people through the right channels. “

Hamilton’s director of emergency operations says statute officers will be making “progressive enforcement,” focusing on educating businesses on what is required and helping them comply with all existing rules.

“Our approach to the new passport system will be similar to what we have done in previous situations where there are new regulations and new rules in place,” Jason Thorne said during Monday’s update.

“We look to make sure we educate and explain the rules when we go out with companies, helping them comply.”

He added that there has been a “spike” in companies not complying with provincial regulations that have been in place for a while, things like making sure masks are worn and conducting contact tracing.

During the last days, law enforcement officers have filed 22 charges against five different Hamilton businesses, as well as 14 residence tickets related to three major house parties.

Thorne also mentioned that the city has heard allegations that a particular measure in Saturday’s enforcement was “racially motivated,” but did not reveal the name of the company involved.

“The city takes allegations of unfair treatment very seriously and we encourage anyone with concerns to file a formal complaint,” Thorne said.

In anticipation of the proof of vaccination policy going into effect, the city said it is working with the Hamilton Public Library to offer free printing and lamination at its 23 branches for anyone who needs to print their vaccine receipt from the provincial portal.

Starting Tuesday, every HPL branch in the city will have a laminator available, along with a dedicated phone with a direct line to the Hamilton Public Health Services Vaccine Hotline for anyone who needs help getting a receipt. of the vaccine.

While Hamilton’s COVID-19 numbers have declined recently, the city had some of the highest transmission rates in Ontario while the vaccination trial program was being developed.

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city’s chief medical officer for health, confirmed that Ontario’s chief physician consulted her about the “high-risk” environments that the certification program should affect.

“You will remember that we have had transmission related to restaurants, nightclubs, (and) historically we have had it related to gyms,” he said. “Our advice was reflected in the recommendations and, ultimately, in the regulations that were presented.”

As of Tuesday, 75.4 percent of eligible Hamiltonians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 82.1 percent have received their first dose.

Dr. Richardson said public health continues to host more targeted vaccination clinics in neighborhoods that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and have lower vaccine uptake.

He said more than 100 doses were administered at a pop-up clinic at the Festival of Friends in Gage Park on Saturday, while at a second pop-up clinic in Limeridge Mall held over the weekend, more than 350 people received a first or second dose.