Public health fielded 18 complaints about businesses not checking for COVID-19 vaccine passports in 1st week

Region of Waterloo Public Health has received 18 complaints from people upset that local businesses aren't checking for proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.

As of Sept. 22, some businesses were required to start to ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination before allowing people to enter the business as a whole or certain areas, such as indoor dining for restaurants.

As well, in the past week, bylaw officials in the three cities and police reported six calls about businesses not enforcing the rule:

• Kitchener bylaw responded to one call from a concerned individual.
• Waterloo municipal enforcement responded to two inquiries about businesses and the province's proof of vaccination policy.
• Cambridge bylaw reported one call, which was referred to Region of Waterloo Public Health.
• Waterloo regional police had two calls on Sept. 22, but none after that.

When people have concerns, Regional Chair Karen Redman said during a media briefing last week that people should "feel free to pass on complaints or concerns to bylaw or Waterloo Regional Police Service."

At the same briefing, police Chief Bryan Larkin said police and bylaw cannot do pro-active enforcement to ensure compliance because there are just too many businesses, but people can call the non-emergency line for police — 519-570-9777 — to report their concerns.

"This would not be a 911 call," Larkin stressed.

He said once a call comes into the non-emergency line, police work with bylaw officials and public health inspectors to decide who would provide "an appropriate response."

"I certainly understand the pressures on small business and medium business but we also have to recognize that the vaccination passport is a legislative requirement, it's an important part of our public health strategy," he said.

Which businesses need to check?

Not all businesses are required to ask for proof of vaccination. The Ontario website lists the following as when people would need to show proof of vaccination:

• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, delivery and takeout).
• Nightclubs, including outdoor areas of the establishment.
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres.
• Sports and fitness facilities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport.
• Sporting events.
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments.
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas.
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
• Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).

Some businesses in the region have taken to social media or websites to say they won't ask people to show proof of vaccination. 

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo asked the province's Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development what happens to businesses that openly say they won't be asking for vaccine passports.

A ministry spokesperson said provincial offences officers will be working with bylaw officers to visit restaurants, recreational facilities and other businesses that are supposed to ask for proof of vaccination.

"The goal of these visits is to ensure businesses are following COVID-19 safety requirements. Officers will be taking an education-first approach to enforcement that is in line with the province's response throughout the pandemic," the email said.

"The emphasis of these visits will be on education and promotion of the new vaccine requirements to help workers and the public stay safe, and to keep businesses open. Our expectation is that all businesses follow the requirements."

Businesses that are found to be non-compliant with the Reopening Ontario Act could face a ticket of $1,000 or a penalty of up to $10 million.