Ontario set to announce stronger COVID-19 measures for proof of vaccination

Ontario is dropping its tentative plan to end the provincialvaccine passport program in mid-January and will require all proof of vaccination certificates to include QR codes, CBC News has learned.

The measures are to be announced today. Asenior government official provided the details in advance.

The official also said there are no plans to shut down the province's schools before the winter holidays one week from tomorrow.

The anticipated movecomes as the province reported 1,290 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the most on a single day since May 24, nearly six and a half months ago.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, was scheduled to hold a briefing on the COVID-19 situation on Thursday, which was postponed until2 p.m. today, when he is expected to make the formal announcement.

The province had previously indicated that requiring proof of vaccinesin settings such as restaurants, barsand cinemas would no longer be required after Jan. 17.

But asenior official said the governmentis taking that end date off the table and is making the proof-of-vaccine systemend dateindefinite.

The reason for only accepting vaccine certificates with QR codes is to crack down on fraudulent vaccinecertificates, the source says.

Officials saythe two measures will enhance Ontario's efforts to get more of the province's population vaccinated againstCOVID-19.