Niagara Region contemplating joining Ontario in removing vaccine passport on March 1

The regional chair in Niagara says their local medical officer of health is debating whether the region will join the rest of Ontario in removing the COVID-19 vaccine passport system on March 1.

Despite eliminating vaccine passports, the province said in a news release on Feb. 14 that businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

Regional Chair Jim Bradley said Niagara’s medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji and his staff will make a decision within the next few days.

“Each of the local officers always looks carefully at what’s happening locally to see if there’s any need for some additional measures,” Bradley said in an interview on Morning Live Friday. 

“He’ll be looking carefully at the issues that are here in Niagara and try to determine if there might be a variance from the provincial rules.”

On March 1, the Ontario government will also lift capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings.

Masking requirements will remain in place at this time.

Bradley said Hirji is expected to announce his decision on March 1, or just before or after that date.