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.
A 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.
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.