London's Mayor thinks some business owners in the community may decide to keep the vaccination passport system in place, even after the province scraps the requirement.
Following an announcement from Premier Doug Ford that vaccination passports will no longer be required as of March 1 if public health indicators continue to improve, Ed Holder addressed the change at the Middlesex-London Health Unit's media briefing on Monday.
"We have seen a very significant settling down of individuals of those who get COVID, those who are hospitalized, those in the ICU. As long as that continues, the province is on exactly the right path," Holder said when asked about the announcement. "That's what you've seen here, the Premier try to find that right balance."
The vaccine certificate program will end on March 1, 2022 if public health indicators continue to be favourable, according to Ford.
"As a system, we are ready (to relax public health rules). But it all depends on how the numbers trend," Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said during the briefing. "We'll really have to continue to follow the numbers and the metrics, at the provincial level especially."
However, Holder believes some businesses may continue to check for vaccination at the door.
"There may be patrons who say 'I want to be in an environment where I know my family is going to be protected.' There may be a competitive advantage for some who will enforce mandates," Holder said. "I don't see this as forcing restaurants, bars, and other venues to drop their mandates. You might be surprised. That would be a choice that these various venues will have the ability to do."
From his position, Summers says there isn't a risk free indoor dining option.
"As we participate in activities that brings us in closer contact with more people that may or may not be up to date on their vaccine status, the potential risk of transmission increases," Summers said. "As vaccination requirements are lifted, in settings where that's no longer the case, the risk will go up. How much will the risk go up? That depends on the prevalence on COVID-19 in the community as well as how many people take it into their own hands to get boosted."
Summers also noted that, in accordance with today's provincial announcement, children aged 12-17 will become eligible to book appointments for booster doses.
You can book a vaccination appointment at covidvaccinelm.ca.
