News Coming in from City of St. Catharines, Town of Lincoln, and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines on How the Rules will Apply for Those Wishing to Enter Their Venues
Similar Rules Will Also Apply to Many Indoor Venues across the Niagara region and province
Posted September 9th, 2021 on Niagara At Large
A Brief Foreword from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper –
The amount of text below is long but we feel to content is important enough that we are sharing it with our readers. There will probably be far more news to come on this new chapter to the war against COVID-19, and we will do our best to share key information with you.
In the meantime, if you live in another part of the Niagara region outside of St. Catharines or Lincoln, you may wish to call your municipality for more on the way these new rules will apply there.
Now here are some News Releases that have been circulated already by two Niagara, Ontario municipalities and one entertainment venue in our region –
City of St. Catharines facilities to require proof of vaccination starting September 22
St. Catharines City Hall
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 22, to comply with provincial regulations, anyone aged 12 and older will be required to show proof they are fully COVID-19 vaccinated to enter City of St. Catharines public facilities – unless an exemption applies.
Checks for COVID-19 proof of vaccination, indicating visitors are fully vaccinated with two approved doses, will be performed in addition to the visitor screening process currently in place at all City facilities, including those listed below:
- St. Catharines City Hall
- City arenas (Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, Garden City Complex, Bill Burgoyne Arena, Merritton Arena)
- St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
- St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
- City Community Centres (Port Weller Community Centre, Russell Avenue Community Centre)
- City Older Adult Centres (Dunlop Drive OAC, West St. Catharines OAC, Port Dalhousie OAC)
- Morningstar Mill
- Lakeside Park Carousel
- Victoria Lawn Cemetery offices
“The health and safety of staff and our community has been the City’s number one priority since the start of the pandemic. We will continue to follow public health and provincial guidelines, and as a City will ensure we continue to do everything we can to support our community and reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19,” said City CAO David Oakes.
“Staff are developing a process with the user in mind, to ensure the visitor experience is as efficient as possible given the circumstances. We thank the community in advance for its patience – particularly in the early days of implementation – and encourage them to plan ahead.”
Upon entering City facilities, visitors should be prepared to show:
* An electronic or paper copy of your COVID-19 vaccination receipt indicating you are fully vaccinated (available at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/<https://cityofkingston.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0de463e387a60bce0b6c68ef2&id=4ba150fa1a&e=f06eec8e8d>); and
* Matching Government issued identification with name and date of birth, such as a driver’s licence, birth certificate, citizenship card, Indian status card / Indigenous membership card, passport, permanent resident card or health card.
Some exemptions as per Province of Ontario regulations include the following:
- Children under 12 years of age.
- Patrons under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport, including swimming lessons and public skating (the exemption does not apply to youth ages 12 and up who are spectators at sporting events).
- Medical exceptions with a written document from a medical doctor or registered nurse
- The mandatory requirements do not apply to the majority of outdoor settings
For more details on the Province’s requirements, including exemptions, please see the New Requirement for Proof of Vaccination in Certain Settings: Frequently Asked Questions<https://cityofkingston.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0de463e387a60bce0b6c68ef2&id=24175d9587&e=f06eec8e8d>.
Businesses that require support on implementing the vaccine certificate regulations can access the Government of Ontario’s Guidance for Businesses<https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/guidance_proof_of_vaccination_for_businesses_and_organizations.pdf> resources.
City Hall will continue to ensure essential services are provided to the public and alternative methods of business are available, as they have been since the start of the pandemic. The City will continue to provide updates on changes and impacts to services at www.stcatharines.ca/COVID19<http://www.stcatharines.ca/COVID19>.
The City is reminding the community to adhere to applicable health and safety measures to reduce the hazard of COVID-19, including but not limited to wearing a mask or face covering, maintaining appropriate physical distancing, employee and visitor screening and self-monitoring of potential COVID-19 symptoms when at work or otherwise engaged in City business.
The City is also continuing its efforts to develop a vaccination policy that will be implemented for City of St. Catharines employees, as well as volunteers working in any City facilities.
Public Service Announcement: Town of Lincoln announces proof of vaccination requirements for Town facilities
As of Wednesday, September 22 and in accordance with Ontario Regulation 364/20 (https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000807/ontario-releasing-guidance-to-support-proof-of-vaccination-policy) , the Town of Lincoln will be required to ask for proof of vaccination by visitors to Town facilities depending on the type of activity or service rendered.
Please visit the Town of Lincoln website (https://lincoln.ca/coronavirus-pandemic/facility-service-impacts) for details on provincially mandated requirements and impacts at Town facilities.
Proof of vaccination and ID will be verified as a first step when arriving at the facilities. COVID-19 screenings will continue as per the current process before patrons are able to enter. The person’s name and date of birth on their identification must match the vaccine receipt. Some exemptions apply.
Those required to show proof of vaccination are noted below:
- * Adult (18+) patrons accessing the facilities for any purpose (some exemptions apply)
- Youth (12+) that are spectating and not actively participating
- * Over the age of 12 participating in a registered recreation program such as fitness class or senior program, attend a public skate program, stick and puck, use the indoor track or parents participating in parent/child programs.
- Attending a meeting, or event (12+)
The following exemptions apply:
- * Youth under the age of 18 years actively participating in an organized sport, including training, practices, games and competitions
- * Workers or volunteers, including coaches and officials of youth organized sport
- * Patrons that qualify for an exemption and provide necessary paperwork (specific paperwork requirements identified by the province)
- * Entering the facility to access library services, library programs, museum self-guided tours and museum programs.
- * Entering the facility for the sole purpose of using a washroom, picking up an order, registering for a program, paying a bill
Acceptable forms of identification must include name and date of birth. These include:
- * Birth certificate
- * Citizenship card
- * Driver’s licence
- * Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card
- * Indian status card/Indigenous membership card
- * Passport
- * Permanent resident card
Proof of vaccination can be printed from Ontario COVID-19 vaccination service (ontariohealth.ca) (https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/) . Lincoln Public Library is also offering to print receipts (lamination also available at the Fleming Branch for a small fee). The Province has announced that it will launch a new app, expected in October, to make it easier and more convenient for businesses and organizations to read and verify that a digital vaccine receipt is valid, while protecting privacy.
We thank everyone in advance for their patience and understanding during this step that has been mandated by the Province.
As a reminder, the Province remains at Step 3 of its Roadmap to Re-open (https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario?utm_source=newsroom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%2Fen%2Frelease%2F1000244%2Fontario-maintains-covid-19-restrictions-as-stay-at-home-order-is-set-to-expire&utm_term=public#section-5) and all current public health protocols including face coverings and physical distancing remain in effect.
For more information on Lincoln’s role in supporting Niagara Public Health’s vaccination plan, visit lincoln.ca/COVID-vaccination .
For general information about COVID-19 in Lincoln, visit lincoln.ca/coronavirus-pandemic .
An important message from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
While attending an event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, you can feel safe and comfortable knowing that we are taking measures to protect you and our community.
As of Wednesday 22 September 2021, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is requiring all members of the public aged 12 and over attending events in our facility to have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, the second of which was administered at least 14 days prior; or be unable to receive
COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons.
Along with government issued ID, all patrons must be able to show proof of double vaccination upon entry, or physician issued letter of medical exemption.
If tickets were purchased prior to 22 Sept 2021 and patrons are unable to attend because of their vaccination status, please contact the box office for a full refund at 905-688-0722 or boxoffice@firstontariopac.ca.
Our goal is to provide a memorable experience while keeping our PAC family and community safe. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
The health and safety of our community, artists, staff and volunteers are of the utmost importance. We have detailed health and safety protocols and procedures outlined in our _*Safety Lives Here <https://firstontariopac.ca/online/Article/EventArticle-COVID19>*_ plan .
Sincerely, Colleen A. Smith, Executive Director
Proof of vaccination can be printed from Ontario COVID-19 vaccination service (ontariohealth.ca) (https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/) .
To read a report on the Ontario government’s September 1st announcement to bring these proof of vaccination rules in, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2021/09/01/ontario-government-to-require-proof-of-vaccination-in-select-settings/
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