Mixed reviews greet vaccine requirements in Hamilton

Hamilton businesses received the news of vaccine requirements this week with mixed reviews.

Some welcomed the province's announcement that individuals will need to show proof of vaccination to access certain settings starting Sept. 22. But there were also concerns that the rules didn't go far enough - they exclude employees, for example - or that it wasn't clear how to enforce them.

The requirements apply to select indoor spaces, including restaurants, banquet halls, funeral homes, gyms and theatres. For nightclubs, they apply to both indoor and outdoor areas.

Erin Dermody, director of operations at P.X. Dermody Funeral Home, said the new rules could be hard to implement.

If we should come into contact with families that are grieving and haven't been vaccinated, it will be tough to have to ask them for something to allow them to come in," she said, noting the family-run home has received guests who aren't fully vaccinated.

Dermody added the home will likely have to call in more staff to check for proofs of vaccination. She was expecting to learn more details about the new rules through a call with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario on Friday.

There's an exception for wedding and funeral receptions at indoor event spaces from Sept. 22 to Oct. 12 when attendees can provide a negative rapid COVID-19 test in lieu of proof of vaccination. The test must be privately purchased and done within 48 hours before the event.

Hamilton's Dr. Elizabeth Richardson helped determine where vaccine passports would be required in Ontario, as she was one of four medical officers of health in high-risk jurisdictions" consulted about how the aggressive Delta variant spreads.

Moe Graszat, fitness manager at McMaster Innovation Park, welcomed the rules considering most of her clients are in their 60s and older.

Let's face it, are you going to be comfortable coming to a gym if you don't know who is working out besides you?" she said. Graszat was exploring ways to implement the rules through the gym's online booking portal.

The Westdale gym is opening Tuesday and Graszat will be the only staff on-site for the next while. She wished that the government had included facility staff among those who must prove vaccination, saying that it's hard to introduce such a policy on her own.

You run into a whole human rights thing," she said.

Gyms were among those surprised by the news.

We had no idea this was coming," said John Harrison, membership consultant at BodyPro Gym. He said Thursday afternoon that the gym hadn't received any formal instructions on how to enforce the rules.

The Gym on Locke and the Gym on Fennell said on their website that the locations were waiting for definitive policies and procedures" on the vaccine announcement from the province.

Strut Salon owner Stacie McCormick was equally surprised, but for the opposite reason.

We were just shocked that we were not included," she said. The government basically said it's because we're considered essential retail, when the whole time we were locked down for the three lockdowns we were considered nonessential."

On Wednesday, Ontario's chief medical officer of health said the government assessed the personal-care sector before making the decision.

At present they've got very good infection, prevention and control practices both for their workers and for their clients and for their screening that is in place and they are smaller settings," said Dr. Kieran Moore.

But McCormick said staff are still at risk, and is considering implementing a policy of her own.

Because of the Delta, it's so much more contagious, and we're beside our clients for sometimes up to five hours."

Maria Iqbal is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator covering aging. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.