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       A woman has her COVID-19 QR code scanned in Montreal, on Sept. 1.

       Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press

       Ontario Premier Doug Ford is asking residents to be patient with businesses owners and frontline staff as the province’s COVID-19 vaccine certificate system takes effect.

       Ford – who emphasized that he had been reluctant to introduce the system – says vaccine certificates will help avoid another lockdown during the pandemic.

       Canada vaccine tracker: How many COVID-19 doses have been administered so far?

       Starting today, patrons need to show proof of vaccination and government identification to access some high-risk settings including restaurant dining rooms, gyms and other venues.

       There are penalties for non-compliance but Ford says enforcement will take an educational approach at first.

       Good morning, Ontario.

       Starting today, proof of vaccination is required for select settings. I know this may be tough for some, but we owe it to our businesses to do everything we can to avoid lockdowns.

       Please be patient. Let’s all continue to support our amazing businesses.

       — Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 22, 2021

       The premier says the “exceptional” measure won’t be in place for longer than necessary, although he did not provide a specific date for when it might end.

       Ford says he’s also having discussions with the province’s top doctor about the possibility of increasing capacity limits for businesses that must now abide by the policy.

       Ontario COVID-19 numbers Ontario reported 463 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and seven more deaths linked to the virus.

       Health Minister Christine Elliott said 332 of those new cases were in people who are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.

       Elliott also said 299 people are hospitalized with the virus, with 187 people in intensive care.

       The Ministry of Health said that 85.3 per cent of Ontarians over the age of 12 have one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and nearly 79.4 per cent have two doses.

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