TORONTO – From tomorrow all Ontario residents vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to download the new QR code online. Already on Friday the province made it possible to download according to the month of birth: on October 15th it was the turn of those born from January to April, on the 16th of those born from May to August and today, finally of those who celebrate their birthday from September to December. From 6 this morning, finally, everyone – regardless of the month of birth – can download their vaccination certificate with the official QR code. “This is for businesses and organizations to scan the QR code made available to people,” said Ford Premier spokeswoman Ivana Yelich.

All Ontario residents 12 years of age and older are already required to show proof of vaccination for dining in restaurants, as well as for access to gyms, cinemas and other high-risk indoor environments, including sports centers and concert halls. Children under the age of 12, who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, along with people with valid medical exemptions do not need to be immunized to enter these facilities. Currently members of the public show a digital or paper copy of the Covid-19 vaccine receipt to prove that they have been fully immunized. Ontario residents will still need to show a valid photo ID along with the QR code or vaccine receipt.

The province says people can continue to use their current vaccine receipt as proof of vaccination, however the receipt is no longer available for download via the provincial portal. As early as Thursday, the Verify Ontario app, a free mobile application designed by the province to allow companies to scan codes to check vaccination status, was made available for download: companies can download the app, available in English and French, on the Apple app and on the Google Play Store.

When a business uses the app to scan a QR code, a check mark or “X” will appear, along with the person’s name and date of birth associated with the code. The province says that while businesses are encouraged to use the digital tools at their disposal, they are not required to use the Verify Ontario app. Officials said Friday that the new QR code documents contain all the information needed to visually verify vaccination status without using the app. Those who are unable to access their QR code online can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 and a hard copy of the QR code will be sent to them by post.

The app, which works offline, will be compatible with QR codes from other provinces, including British Columbia and Quebec: Officials say tests are currently underway to ensure Ontario’s QR codes are compatible with Quebec’s system.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Doug Ford has promised to loosen capacity limits for other businesses, including restaurants. Ford is in the eye of the storm after last week it lifted all capacity limits at sports facilities, including the Scotiabank Arena, but not at restaurants and gyms.

When asked whether Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) — which helped develop the province’s new Verify Ontario app — got a preferential deal with the government, the premier vehemently denied the insinuation. “We have a plan, a very good plan, a cautious plan, in support of restaurants – said Ford – this week we will present it”.