'Predictably chaotic': Businesses left to decide whether or not to keep proof of vaccination system
Effective March 1 proof of vaccination will no longer be required in almost all public settings across the province.
However, London’s mayor and the acting medical officer of health for Middlesex-London are encouraging businesses to maintain vaccine certificate checks.
But without a province-wide requirement to offer consistency, some businesses are left weighing the pros and cons of ditching the vaccine passport system.
During the lunch hour, Helena Hodivoianu, the owner of Saga, a corner cafe in downtown London, asked two patrons for their vaccine certificate as they walked up to the counter.
In less than a week, Hodivoianu won’t need to ask for proof of vaccine, but she says she hasn’t really had much time to think about the new process yet.
“We’re just so used to getting them and making sure that everyone is safe inside as well. It’s just kind of abrupt all of a sudden, so we just don’t know if we’re going to do a gradual thing or how it’s going work just yet,” said Hodivoianu.
Ontario has required proof of at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter select setting during much of the pandemic, but the province is lifting this policy effective March 1, however businesses may opt to keep it in place.
The CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce, Graham Henderson says this is ‘predictably chaotic,’ leaving many struggling businesses to make the decision on their own.
“When the government decided that they were going to kind of leave it to businesses to make the decision, businesses were kind of forced to make decisions based on what? Science? Personal opinions about safety? Worries about their patrons? And I keep hearing this competitive advantage,” Henderson said.
Owner of Waldo’s on King, Mark Kitching says his staff is excited to have the mandate lifted, as it makes their job more difficult.
“Everybody is feeling a sense of relief… and I think two years, two years plus now, it’s time for us to get on with our lives now,” said Kitching.
Elizabeth McGinley who works as a server at the restraint agrees with Kitching.
“It’s definitely hindered things as people are coming in – you know you have to stop them, especially kind of like the repetition of it I feel like, it’s just going to be nice to not have to do that as much,” said McGinley.
And although many are looking forward to the end of vaccine certificates, Henderson says it’s not that simple for some establishments.
“Some people have decided they are going to extend the requirement for a period of time. Now I understand in the case of some venues they are making this decision on the theory that people purchased tickets for a show in April, based on the idea that they would have to give a vaccine certificate, so there was an expectation,” said Henderson.
The Grand Theatre in London and the Stratford Festival are two places, that are opting to keep vaccination requirements in place for the foreseeable feature.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.