COVID-19 Update: Across Canada

September 1st COVID Update Canada

Here’s a look at what’s happening across Canada in the fight against COVID-19 as of September 1st 2021.

British Columbia  

Currently in step 3 of BC’s restart plan

Masks

As of Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout B.C. to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 as B.C. prepares for the fall and respiratory illness season

Proof of Vaccination

Starting September 13th, proof of vaccination will be required to access some events, services and businesses. Getting vaccinated keeps everyone in B.C. safe and stops the spread of COVID-19.

The requirement applies to all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and covers:

  • Indoor ticketed concerts, theatre, dance, symphony and sporting events
  • Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, pubs and bars
  • Nightclubs and casinos 
  • Movie theatres 
  • Gyms, pools and recreation facilities 
    • Does not include youth recreational sport
  • Indoor high intensity group exercise 
  • Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, parties, conferences, meetings and workshops
  • Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery and art
    • Does not include K to 12 school and before and after school programs
  • Post-secondary on-campus student housing. Note: Students must be partially vaccinated by September 7

Events, businesses, and services will ask to see your proof of vaccination and valid government ID.

Alberta 

Currently in Stage 3 

Masks

No mask mandate in effect. 

Proof of Vaccination

Alberta does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements currently.  

Saskatchewan

Currently in Stage 3 of the Re-opening road map

Masks

No mask mandate in effect.

Proof of Vaccination 

Saskatchewan does not have a vaccine passport. Saskatchewan is developing a vaccination certification document to support international travel that is expected to be available this fall.

Manitoba 

Currently in Caution level of the Provincial Response 

Masks 

A person who enters or remains in an indoor public place must wear a mask in a manner that covers their mouth, nose, and chin without gapping. Indoor public space includes:

  • any part of a retail store where the public has access;
  • any part of the common areas of a residential building;
  • a health care facility;
  • an educational institution or facility;
  • an elevator;
  • a motor vehicle used for public transportation, including a bus, taxi, limousine or other vehicle for hire; and
  • a bus shelter, pedestrian tunnel or enclosed pedestrian walkway.

Employees, contractors or operators of an indoor public place do not need to wear a mask while they are in an area where members of the public do not normally have access, or if they are behind a non-permeable physical barrier, including a plexiglass barrier

Proof of Vaccination

Manitoba is now offering an immunization card for people who are fully immunized. This allows individuals and businesses to scan Manitoba Immunization Cards to confirm a Manitoban is fully vaccinated. 

The province has developed new requirements for people to be fully immunized to participate in certain events and activities. These requirements will come into effect by public health order on Sept. 3 for all health regions and will include:

• indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events and concerts;

• indoor theatre/dance/symphony events;

• restaurants (indoor and patio dining);

• nightclubs and all other licensed premises;

• casinos, bingo halls and VLT lounges;

• movie theatres;

• fitness centres, gyms and indoor sporting and recreational facilities (excluding youth recreational sport); and

• organized indoor group recreational classes and activities, and indoor recreational businesses.

Ontario

Currently in Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen 

Masks

Mask Mandate remains in effect for indoors 

Proof of Vaccination

As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities. This approach focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn and includes:
• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout); • Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centers;
• Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
• Sporting events;
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
• Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).

Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted entry with a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate. Children who are 11 years of age and younger and unable to be vaccinated will also be exempted from these requirements.

Quebec 

Currently in Level 1 

Masks

Wearing a mask or face covering that covers the nose to under the chin is mandatory on public transit (buses, the subway, ferries, taxis, car services, etc.) and in enclosed or partially enclosed public places for people age 10 and over.

medical procedural mask must be worn in the workplace when physical distancing of 2 metres inside (or 1 metre outside) is not possible.

Proof of Vaccination

Starting September 1st vaccine passports will be introduced. Places and activities requiring proof of vaccinations will be:

  • Outdoor events and festivals where the number of attendees exceeds that allowed for gatherings in an outdoor public space (50 people). 
  • Performance venues, movie theatres, sports venues. 
  • Bars and restaurants, including patios, except for curbside pickup and takeout orders.
  • Casinos and gambling halls, including bingo
  • Arcades, pool halls, bowling alleys, indoor and outdoor activities at theme parks, amusement parks and centres, fun and recreation centres, water parks, zoos. 
  • Cruises
  • Conventions
  • Outdoor team sports or physical activities involving frequent or prolonged contact, including extracurricular activities. Does not apply to:
    • Professional and high-level sports or sports practised in an academic setting
    • People who live at the same address
    • Outdoor facilities for team sports or physical activities even if they involve frequent or prolonged contact (e.g., open tennis courts and skating rinks).
  • All indoor sports or physical activities. 

Additional details: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/progress-of-the-covid-19-vaccination/covid-19-vaccination-passport/places-and-activities-requiring-covid-19-vaccination-passport#c111299

Nunavut

Masks

No Mask Mandate but strongly recommended.

Proof of Vaccination

Nunvut does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements. 

Yukon

Masks

As of August 4, 2021, wearing a mask is not mandatory in indoor public spaces in the Yukon.

Proof of Vaccination

Yukon does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements. 

Northwest Territories  

Masks

As of August 26, the Northwest Territories has issued its first territorywide mask 

mandate for all indoor public spaces. 

Proof of Vaccination

NWT does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements. 

Newfoundland

Currently in Alert level 2 

Masks 

No mask mandate in effect. 

Proof of Vaccination

Newfoundland does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements. currently.

Nova Scotia

Currently in Phase 4, targeting September 15th for Phase 5. 

Masks 

Indoor (in most public places) Mask Mande in effect.

Proof of Vaccination

Nova Scotia does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements. Some businesses may choose to implement proof of vaccination requirements. 

New Brunswick

Currently in Green Phase 

Masks

No mask mandate in effect some jurisdictions have reimposed mask mandates. 

Proof of Vaccination

New Brunswick does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements.

PEI 

Masks

Recommended but not required for those not fully vaccinated

Proof of Vaccination 

PEI does not have a vaccine passport or proof or vaccination requirements.