Hamiltonians provide vaccination proof, some with ease, others with hiccups

Wednesday was the first time many Hamiltonians had to provide proof of vaccination before entering some businesses, and city residents have so far had a mix of experiences.

It was easy for Vanessa Perry, who said she was required to show proof of her two doses when she went to Fit4Less for a morning workout.

"It was very efficient, they had a booth set up. As soon as you walk in, there was staff manning it asking to complete the COVID questionnaire and show proof of the second dose of the vaccine and your ID," she told CBC Hamilton. 

"It was nice knowing everyone else in the gym was vaccinated."

Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine verification policy requires people to show proof of two doses and matching identification to enter businesses such as bars, casinos, gyms, restaurants, sports arenas and theatres.

People can download their proof of vaccination from the provincial government website. After downloading the certificate, you can print a hard copy or store the PDF on your phone.

Caroline Ironwill, a personal support worker, said she was having issues getting her proof-of-vaccination from the provincial website Wednesday morning.

While she eventually got her a digital copy, she was concerned her father might struggle.

"My dad doesn't have a smartphone, he still has a flip phone and is hesitant to upgrade … I think for people like my dad... or people who might be at risk and experiencing homelessness, [they] might also have problems with downloading on a smartphone," she said.

"We need to reach out to people who we know are going to struggle with technology or access to technology and see if we can help them."

She said her dad did get his proof printed out later in the day.

Ironwill is hoping to get her paperwork laminated at a Hamilton Public Library branch.

"I'm looking forward to this being a step back to normal and hopefully it will convince people who are on the fence to get the vaccine."

Ontario's new regulation follows similar protocols that some businesses and institutions, like many post-secondary schools, have already had in place. Experiences meeting those requirements reveal a similar range of success — and challenges.

Just this week, Jugraj Cheema, 27, said he missed his first class at Mohawk College because of the college's proof of vaccination requirement.

Cheema previously graduated from the school but was looking to take a course this year.

He said he was on a wait list until Tuesday morning. While he was at work, his wife paid the course fees, for the class schedule and sent in the necessary paperwork, like proof of vaccination.

But when he got to campus, Cheema said security wouldn't let him in because it takes the college 24 hours to process proof of vaccination — even though Cheema also had a physical copy of his two doses.

"I told them I uploaded everything but it's not under my control to [approve] it … I tried to contact my professor, security said they couldn't make any decisions, there was no help available," he said.

"I was upset."

Cheema ended up missing the class Tuesday, which puts him two classes behind.

Mohawk College spokesperson Bill Steinburg wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon the school has stated in past weeks approving one's vaccination status can't be done on-site because the data is managed by the college's health and wellness team, in accordance with privacy laws which can't be collected at entrances.

"This is a major reason the college has established the existing access-to-campus process," he wrote.

"The situation you've described seems quite rare. Thousands of students are accessing the college campuses daily. It's unfortunate this student couldn't attend the in-person class. He is encouraged to touch base with the instructor to sort out a way to catch up."

Nearly a week before Ontario's vaccine certificate system came into effect, Carm Martire had her first experience showing proof. It went without a hitch.

Last Friday, the 66-year-old Stoney Creek woman was required to provide documentation at a Hamilton Tiger-Cats game at Tim Horton's Field.

"We lined up and honestly, the lines moved quickly," Martire told CBC Hamilton on Wednesday morning.

She said it took her less time to get into the game with her group of six people than it took to get a prescription from the pharmacy.

And as for the proof of vaccination with a matching piece of ID, Martire said it took her about as much time as it takes to say, "Oskee wee wee! Oskee wa wa! Holy mackinaw! Tigers! Eat 'em raw!"

"It was not onerous … So many businesses suffered tremendously under COVID restrictions, I don't want to see them shut down again … I did my part," she said.