City of St. Catharines facilities to require proof of vaccination starting September 22

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 22, to comply with provincial regulations, anyone aged 12 and older will be required to show proof they are fully COVID-19 vaccinated to enter City of St. Catharines public facilities – unless an exemption applies. 

Checks for COVID-19 proof of vaccination, indicating visitors are fully vaccinated with two approved doses, will be performed in addition to the visitor screening process currently in place at all City facilities, including those listed below:

• St. Catharines City Hall
• City arenas (Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, Garden City Complex, Bill Burgoyne Arena, Merritton Arena)
• St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
• St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
• City Community Centres (Port Weller Community Centre, Russell Avenue Community Centre)
• City Older Adult Centres (Dunlop Drive OAC, West St. Catharines OAC, Port Dalhousie OAC)
• Morningstar Mill
• Lakeside Park Carousel
• Victoria Lawn Cemetery offices

“The health and safety of staff and our community has been the City’s number one priority since the start of the pandemic. We will continue to follow public health and provincial guidelines, and as a City will ensure we continue to do everything we can to support our community and reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19,” said City CAO David Oakes. “Staff are developing a process with the user in mind, to ensure the visitor experience is as efficient as possible given the circumstances. We thank the community in advance for its patience - particularly in the early days of implementation – and encourage them to plan ahead.”

Upon entering City facilities, visitors should be prepared to show:

• An electronic or paper copy of your COVID-19 vaccination receipt indicating you are fully vaccinated (available at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/); and

• Matching Government issued identification with name and date of birth, such as a driver’s licence, birth certificate, citizenship card, Indian status card / Indigenous membership card, passport, permanent resident card or health card. 

Some exemptions as per Province of Ontario regulations include the following:

• Children under 12 years of age.
• Patrons under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport, including swimming lessons and public skating (the exemption does not apply to youth ages 12 and up who are spectators at sporting events).
• Medical exceptions with a written document from a medical doctor or registered nurse
• The mandatory requirements do not apply to the majority of outdoor settings

For more details on the Province’s requirements, including exemptions, please see the New Requirement for Proof of Vaccination in Certain Settings: Frequently Asked Questions. Businesses that require support on implementing the vaccine certificate regulations can access the Government of Ontario’s Guidance for Businesses resources.

City Hall will continue to ensure essential services are provided to the public and alternative methods of business are available, as they have been since the start of the pandemic. The City will continue to provide updates on changes and impacts to services at www.stcatharines.ca/COVID19.

The City is reminding the community to adhere to applicable health and safety measures to reduce the hazard of COVID-19, including but not limited to wearing a mask or face covering, maintaining appropriate physical distancing, employee and visitor screening and self-monitoring of potential COVID-19 symptoms when at work or otherwise engaged in City business.

The City is also continuing its efforts to develop a vaccination policy that will be implemented for City of St. Catharines employees, as well as volunteers working in any City facilities.

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Contact:

citizensfirst@stcatharines.ca