September 21, 2021 – Starting Wednesday, September 22, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 645/21, patrons entering the City’s indoor recreation facilities are required to provide their vaccination receipt or medical exemption alongside government-issued identification to access certain indoor recreation facilities, programs and services.  This requirement is in addition to existing active screening procedures. 

Before entering one of the City’s indoor recreation facilities, patrons must provide proof of identificationand proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19(including the 14-day waiting period). Vaccination receipts may be shown electronically or in hard copy. Proof documents will not be retained or recorded in any way and must be provided at every visit.

Acceptable proof of identification is a piece of government-issued ID that has the name and date of birth of the identification holder (e.g. birth certificate, citizenship card, drivers licence, health card, status card, passport, permanent residence card).

The City of Thunder Bay’s ‘Vaccine Disclosure Policy’ is separate from this regulation and applies to all City of Thunder Bay employees, students, volunteers.

The following individuals are exempt from showing proof of vaccination under the Provincial regulation. Any individual who is not exempt must show proof, including when accompanying an individual who is exempt:

  • Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons
  • A patron entering an indoor area solely for the following purposes:
    • To use a washroom
    • To access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route
    • To make a retail purchase
    • While placing or picking up an order
    • While paying for an order
    • To purchase admission; or
    • As may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety
    • Those who are under 12 years of age;
    • Those who are under 18 years of age, and 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. 
    • Those who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class, that sets out, in accordance with the Ministry’s guidance
      • A documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and
      • The effective time-period for the medical reason

Signage will be posted at public entrances of the affected facilities outlining the proof of vaccination requirement. Where possible, patrons are encouraged to build in extra time to allow for necessary screening and vaccine verification when visiting facilities, and are asked to be patient and COVID-kind as facility staff implement this new requirement.

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Contact: Stacey Levanen, Supervisor – Corporate Communications & Engagement, 625-3650