On Tuesday, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott spoke about this possibility, while the vaccination campaign could be started next week. Health Canada has just approved a first vaccine, the by Pfizer-BioNTech.
There may be restrictions that may be placed on people who do not have vaccines for travel purposes, to be able to go to theaters or any other place where people will be in closer physical contact.
, said the minister.
Christine Elliott, at a meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccination Working Group, Dec. 4.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Chris Young
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These comments were supported by provincial public health. The Ontario Medical Officer of Health has indicated that proof of immunization may be required to have the freedom to move
or to access certain settings, such as long-term care facilities and hospitals, without wearing a mask.
What we can do is say sometimes to access or facilitate access to certain facilities, if you do not have a vaccination you are not allowed to enter without other protective equipment
Dr David Williams said at a press conference last week.
COVID-19 vaccinations will be voluntary in Ontario.
Photo : iStock
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For’Aclc, the idea of an immune passport is a constitutional issue.
Such restrictions create a risk of unconstitutional discrimination and should play no role in strategy within Canada’s public health.
, the director of theAclc Michael Bryant by press release.
While it doesn’t seem too personal to say “yes, I had the vaccine” (although opinions would vary on this), saying “I cannot get it because of my medical condition X” is a totally different level of intrusion.
The association called on the public authorities to balance the objectives of limiting the spread of COVID-19 with respect for freedom and personal choices.
Asked about the subject on Wednesday, the leader of NPD from Ontario Andrea Horwath noted that the situation was rather new
. Unlike theAclc, she is open to proof of vaccination. She says she is relying on the advice of public health officials and experts.
They are the ones who help us determine in what form such an instrument would be most useful, when it should be used. These are still open questions and I think we need more feedback
, she asserted.
Ontario is preparing to receive approximately 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the coming days.
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