Ontario lifts restaurant capacity limits, vaccine mandates to follow

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on February 14 that the province is lifting all restaurant capacity limits starting at 12:01 a.m. on February 17, three days ahead of schedule. Mandatory proof of vaccination for restaurant guests will then be scrapped from March 1. Last month, Ontario had released its plan to lift public health measures and restrictions, […]

Two-thirds of NYC restaurants lost customers to vaccine mandate

The introduction of a vaccine mandate has caused strife for restaurant operators and staff in Canada and beyond. In New York, a new survey by the New York State Restaurant Association has illustrated just how deep those problems have been running. The survey found that more than 90 per cent of the 125 restaurants surveyed have […]

Operators remain divided on vaccine regulations

Vaccine regulations truly are dividing opinion in foodservice. Many restaurant operators do not agree with the new vaccine regulations including mandated proof of vaccination, and while plenty are willing to put up with the measure to safeguard the future, there are still concerns from a significant proportion of operators over a potential long-term adverse effect […]

Ontario vaccine passport to be introduced in late September

Following the lead of other provinces, an Ontario vaccine passport is being introduced for restaurants and some other non-essential businesses from September 22. Premier Doug Ford and the province announced that a vaccine certificate showing proof of double vaccination will be needed to visit indoor food and drink establishments and nightclubs, as well as other […]

Quebec vaccine passport takes effect amid widespread support

The Quebec vaccine passport has officially gone into effect from September 1, meaning that all on-site dining patrons at restaurants must now require proof they have received double vaccination. To enter restaurants or bars for indoor or outdoor dining, as well as many other non-essential businesses and services, Quebecers aged 13 and up must show […]

B.C. vaccine passport coming in September as province follows Quebec

British Columbia announced on August 23 that it is following Quebec by becoming the second province to require proof of vaccination for entry to establishments including restaurants. The B.C. vaccine passport will come into effect on September 13, two weeks after Quebec’s goes live. Unlike Quebec’s, the B.C. vaccine passport will only mandate that patrons […]

Vaccination mandates: How to handle asking for proof

Updated September 16 Vaccination mandates are the topic on everyone’s lips right now. In Canada, numerous provinces beginning with Quebec and going on to include others such as B.C. and later Ontario and Alberta have either already introduced or have announced the implementation of vaccine certificates. This move, which has also been seen in some […]

MLSE restaurants in Toronto to require proof of vaccination

Toronto-based Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment will begin requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for visitors to its facilities and MLSE restaurants in mid-September. The company owns the Real Sports, E11EVEN, and Hot Stove Club restaurant brands as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, Toronto Argonauts, and […]

Quebec introducing vaccine passport from September 1 amid fierce debate

Quebec has confirmed it is implementing a vaccine passport system for restaurants, bars, and other non-essential services from the start of September. Premier François Legault announced on August 5 that the province will introduce the system amid rising case numbers and the prospect of more hospitalizations and deaths in the coming weeks. On August 10, […]

Is asking for proof of vaccination the new restaurant normal?

By Tom Nightingale Across Canada, North America, and beyond, the debate around vaccinations has been raging since numerous vaccines became widely available a few months ago. Now, the hottest topic may be proof of vaccination. Much has been made of whether requiring proof of vaccinations — be they so-called “vaccine passports” or other forms of […]