Ontario Government Announces No More Capacity Limits on November 15

After a couple of weeks of pressure from restaurateurs and other business owners about the Government of Ontario’s seemingly random removal of capacity limits on cinemas and sports venues, it looks like all limits are coming to an end by the mid-point of next month. In a typical late Friday announcement, Premier Doug Ford said that more limits will be lifted on Monday with an eye to end all COVID-19 precautions by the end of March. Continue reading “Ontario Government Announces No More Capacity Limits on November 15”

9 Out of 10 Guelphites Now Vaccinated, as City Struggles With Unvaccinated Staff

On Wednesday, the residents of Guelph reached an important vaccine milestone: 9 out of every 10 eligible people in the city have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. By comparison, only 83 per cent of people born in 2009 and before in the whole of Ontario are fully vaccinated, which casts Guelph as pretty enthusiastically vaccinated locality in Canada. Unfortunately, not all of us are enthusiastic, even the ones that need to be. Continue reading “9 Out of 10 Guelphites Now Vaccinated, as City Struggles With Unvaccinated Staff”

Ontario QR Codes for Vaccine Proof Now Available

Like the soft launch of any one of a hundred different apps, the digital vaccine verification code started appearing on Google Play and the App Store on Friday morning. Yes Virginia, you can now carry your vaccine certification on your phone with a Government of Ontario-approved QR code, and just a few days ahead of the one-month anniversary of the Province’s vaccine certification program. Continue reading “Ontario QR Codes for Vaccine Proof Now Available”

Capacity Limits Lift Slightly, as Public Health Will Participate in Testing

Just in time for the Thanksgiving long weekend, there are now no capacity limits at movie theatres or concert venues! If you spend the holiday packing the house for a movie or your favourite band, then this going to be very good news. Also this week, our local public health unit has said that they’re joining the province’s plan to distribute rapid COVID-19 antigen tests. Continue reading “Capacity Limits Lift Slightly, as Public Health Will Participate in Testing”

Moore Says Thanksgiving, Halloween Can Proceed Like Semi-Normal

This time last year, the province had started to climb the slope of what ended up being the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. One year later, with much of the province being vaccinated, the advice is starkly different. Heading into the Thanksgiving long weekend, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore is telling Ontarians that it’s okay to enjoy some of the usual festivities, but to take caution while doing so. Continue reading “Moore Says Thanksgiving, Halloween Can Proceed Like Semi-Normal”

Schreiner Wants Some Action on Ontario’s Nursing Shortage

On Monday, the Ontario Legislature will get back to work after an extended summer break thanks to the fact that Premier Doug Ford prorogued the session just as the Federal Election got underway. When Members of Provincial Parliament return to Queen’s Park there will be a lot of business for them to tackle, and one of the issues that Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner wants to make a priority is nursing. Continue reading “Schreiner Wants Some Action on Ontario’s Nursing Shortage”

City of Guelph Lays Out Vaccine Certification Rules at City Facilities

Ontario’s new vaccine certification program starts on Wednesday, but businesses aren’t the only ones who will now have to make sure those coming into their space are fully vaccinated. On Wednesday, the City of Guelph will take part in the new vaccine certificate program as people enter City facilities. Yes, to get into some City of Guelph programs and buildings next week, you will need to show your vaccinated. Continue reading “City of Guelph Lays Out Vaccine Certification Rules at City Facilities”

One Week Before Policy Starts, Ontario Government Announces Guidelines for Vax Certificates

This time next week will be the last day you can go inside many places without being asked for proof of vaccination. The Government of Ontario’s vaccine certification effort goes into effect a week from Wednesday, and, just in time, we now have the regulations and guidance that will guide the program. The ball is now in the court of local businesses and organizations, not to mention all of us, to make it work. Continue reading “One Week Before Policy Starts, Ontario Government Announces Guidelines for Vax Certificates”

People’s Party Candidates Rally for Support and Get Attention from Bylaw

It was cloudy day, rain was a constant threat and the humidity made things muggy. Grey clouds and the consistent annoyance of bugs though were no match for the enthusiasm of the dozens of people who gathered to hear from the two area People’s Party of Canada candidates, Josh Leier for Guelph and Syl Carle for Wellington-Halton Hills. For these people, as the sign literally said, “the other options suck.” Continue reading “People’s Party Candidates Rally for Support and Get Attention from Bylaw”

Hospitals Add Vaccine Mandate, Public Health Suggests Businesses Do Same

If you work at City Hall, any City facility, the Guelph Public Library, and the University of Guelph, then you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, so it would make sense for workers at area hospitals to be fully vaccinated. A joint statement today from Guelph General Hospital another other institutions confirms a coming vaccine mandate, while Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is asking all businesses to plan along similar lines. Continue reading “Hospitals Add Vaccine Mandate, Public Health Suggests Businesses Do Same”