Vaccine passports OK during pandemic: Ontario Human Rights Commission

The requirement for vaccine passports in higher-risk settings is acceptable during a pandemic, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has found.

“While receiving a COVID-19 vaccine remains voluntary, the OHRC takes the position that mandating and requiring proof of vaccination to protect people at work or when receiving services is generally permissible under the Human Rights Code (Code) as long as protections are put in place to make sure people who are unable to be vaccinated for Code-related reasons are reasonably accommodated,” it said in a statement Wednesday. “This applies to all organizations.”

Employers have an obligation to accommodate people who have not been vaccinated due to a Code-protected ground such as disability or a medial exemption such as a severe allergy to the vaccines.

People with a medical exemption must obtain proof of this is writing from a physician (MP), registered nurse extended class (RNEC) or a nurse practitioner (NP), the OHRC says.

“Proof of vaccine and vaccine mandate policies, or any COVID testing alternatives that result in people being denied equal access to employment or services on CODE grounds, should only be used for the shortest possible length of time,” the OHRC warned. “Such policies might only be justifiable during a pandemic. They should regularly be reviewed and updated to match the most current pandemic conditions, and to reflect up-to-date evidence and public health guidance.”

Ontario reported 463 additional COVID-19 cases Wednesday on the first day the province’s new vaccine passport program took effect.

Another seven deaths were linked to the virus, and the pandemic has now taken a total of 4,007 Ontario lives.

The number of people in hospital being treated for COVID-19 was 299, including 187 in intensive care and 130 on life-sustaining ventilators.