'Isn't this ludicrous?': Glitches, contradictions take the spotlight after first day of COVID-19 vaccine certificate in Ontario
Wednesday was the first day of Ontario COVID-19 proof of vaccination system, which requires people in the province to show proof that they are fully vaccinated, and a piece of photo ID, to access non-essential, indoor settings.
These settings include:
Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments
Indoor and outdoor areas of food or drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs
Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces
Indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks and gyms
Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres, and cinemas
Indoor areas of bathhouses, sex clubs and strip clubs
Indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues
Indoor areas where commercial film and TV productions take place with studio audiences
Unfortunately, as many Ontarians headed to the provincial site on Wednesday Morning to download and save or print their proof of vaccination receipt on Wednesday, the site was glitching.
The vaccine certificate should've been ready months ago. These are the kinds of mistakes you see when you're scrambling, and it didn't have to be this way. #onpolihttps://t.co/qAYB0RWIMP
— Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) September 22, 2021
My first attempt two hours ago. pic.twitter.com/COdOX6IEph
— Vandy P (@VandyP2) September 22, 2021
Given how chaotic the vaccine rollout was at times, I worry many will not have their proof of vaccination. Currently, people are being directed to the Ontario vaccine portal website to access this infor. Once more requiring tech and English literacy, not to mention…. pic.twitter.com/vsoeEyQIGk
— Ritika Goel (@RitikaGoelTO) September 22, 2021
As expected, some people took to social media to share their thoughts on the first day of the proof of vaccination system in the province, including health care professionals.
the current reality with vaccine passports is that sitting in a coffee shop may be safer than certain long term care homes, hospitals or classrooms if we don’t see a shift in public policy.
— Andrew Baback Boozary MD (@drandrewb) September 22, 2021
Today, Ontario’s vaccine passport system takes effect, meaning that an unvaccinated person will be denied entry to restaurants, bars & other non-essential businesses.
But an unvaccinated person can still work in a hospital or LTC facility.
Isn't this ludicrous?— Dr. Amit Arya (@AmitAryaMD) September 22, 2021
Today Ontario begins its proof of vaccination policy.
🆕 VIDEO: Quick answers to the 4 biggest questions I've been getting about vaccine mandates: https://t.co/GaoJ5ekGqX— 🔬Samantha Yammine, PhD (@heysciencesam) September 22, 2021
Other Ontarians also shared their thoughts on the first day of the proof of vaccination systems, several stressing the importance of being kind to the people who work at these businesses that will be checking proof of vaccination.
Day 1 of the vaccine passport and my nail salon was the busiest I’ve seen it since reopening. Anti-vaxxers might be yelling the loudest but they are the small minority and more ppl have been holding off going out because they’re elderly, have health conditions, or young kids.
— Jennifer Kirton (@JenKtn) September 22, 2021
it’s the first day of ontario’s vaccine passport rollout, and I gotta say, watching antivaxxers getting denied entry to my restaurant is my new porn
— Clare Blackwood (@clareblackwood) September 22, 2021
Vaccine passports come into effect today.
Don’t forget to thank your gym/restaurant/business for asking you for proof of vaccination.
God knows the anti-vaxers are going to make their lives difficult enough.— David O'Leary, CFA (@DavidPOLeary) September 22, 2021
Gym was hella empty today, not mad at this vaccine mandate tbh
— Tobi B. (@Tobi_tx) September 22, 2021
Vaccine passports have always been a thing. I would much rather the unvaccinated be essentially "locked down" temporarily from specific non-essential activities than do nothing to decrease the spread of the virus & have all of us locked down. The vaccine is safe & effective.
— Alex (@Alex_K_89) September 22, 2021
Casual reminder: if you feel the need to yell and berate hourly staff requesting vaccine passports in Ontario starting today, that just makes you a shitty person.
They can't change the rules. They may or may not agree with them. Take it up with your Premier Dougie— Elixabeth (@GypsyElixir) September 22, 2021
The best thing about the Vaccine Passport requirements coming into effect today is there are a lot of entitled assholes out there who will now not be allowed to enter restaurants or stores
— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) September 22, 2021