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Ontario’s Booking System to Expand to Individuals Aged 75 and Older as Vaccine Rollout Accelerates

More Pharmacies and Primary Care Settings to Offer AstraZeneca to Those 60+

News Release – March 19, 2021

TORONTO — With over 50 per cent of Ontario residents aged 80 and over having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Ontario government is expanding appointments through its online booking system to individuals aged 75 and over, effective Monday, March 22, 2021, ahead of schedule.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, and General Rick Hillier (retired), Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.

“The progress we are making on our Vaccine Distribution Plan demonstrates what can be done when we unleash the full potential of Team Ontario,” said Premier Ford. “Thanks to the efforts of an army of frontline health care heroes and volunteers, we are getting needles in arms even faster than we had imagined. All we need now is a steady and reliable supply of vaccines from the Federal government to ensure anyone who wants one, gets one as soon as possible so we can all stay safe.

“Ontario began vaccinating individuals aged 80 and over in February, and launched an online booking tool and a call centre to help answer questions and support appointment bookings at mass immunization clinics. Since the provincial booking system was launched on March 15, more than 239,000 appointments have been scheduled for the first and second doses.

Ontario is leading the country in the total number of vaccines administered and has fully immunized more individuals than all provinces and territories combined. To date, over 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the province, including over 129,000 doses administered to long-term care home residents. Over 294,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including over 61,000 long term-care home residents.

“Thanks to the efforts of our health care partners and the efficiency of our booking system, Ontario has been able to schedule more appointments and vaccinate more people quickly and conveniently,” said Minister Elliott. “We are doing everything we can to protect those who are most vulnerable and will ensure that we reach every Ontarian eligible for vaccination in Phase One as we expand the vaccination program further in the coming weeks.”

On March 16, 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) expanded its recommendation for the use of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine to people 18 years old and older. In alignment with NACI’s latest recommendation and Ontario’s Ethical Framework, as of March 22, 2021, participating pharmacies and primary care settings will offer vaccination appointments to individuals aged 60 and over. Eligible Ontarians can contact a participating pharmacy directly to make an appointment. In addition, many primary care providers are directly contacting eligible patients to book an appointment.

The province also continues to expand the delivery channels available to administer COVID-19 vaccines, with another 350 pharmacies to be brought on board across the province in the next two weeks bringing the total to approximately 700 locations. It is expected that this number would again be doubled to approximately 1,500 by the end of April. Depending on vaccine supply, retail pharmacies could administer up to 40 per cent of all vaccinations by the end of April. Details on additional locations and the application process for pharmacy participation will be shared in the coming days. In addition, vaccinations in primary care settings will continue in collaboration with public health units.

“We have successfully expanded Ontario’s vaccine rollout plan to include pharmacies, mass vaccination centres and primary health care providers in key parts of the province,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “This is a huge accomplishment and we continue to extend this rollout to other parts of the province as more vaccines become available.” 

“Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan is now well underway,” said General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier. “We are grateful to the army of diverse teams – the health care practitioners, IT specialists, data analysts, the dedicated individuals working in logistics and many others – for their outstanding service and commitment to put the needed processes in place to make this happen.

The province continues to expect a high volume of traffic on its online booking system. Everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, but those not yet eligible for a vaccine are being asked to avoid accessing the booking system or calling the service desk to allow those that are eligible the opportunity to book an appointment.
QUICK FACTS

For the month of March, Ontario is expecting to receive 1,454,310 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Ontario received limited allocations of the Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD in March, with 483,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine split over three weeks, and 194,500 doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine received the week of March 8.

Ontario’s exact allocations and delivery timing for the Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines after March are pending confirmation from the federal government and are not known at this time. 

Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine at pharmacies require an appointment to be made in advance. Eligible adults aged 60 and over (if 60 or older as of the day of vaccination or, if will be 60 or older in 2021) who are interested in booking an appointment, can visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy and can contact the pharmacy to make an appointment.

Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine at primary care settings are part of a limited rollout according to available supply and are not taking appointments by request. Do not call your primary care providers to book an appointment – participating primary care providers in select areas are reaching out to eligible Ontarians aged 60 and older.

If an individual is turning 75 or older in 2021 and does not live in a congregate care setting, they can schedule a vaccine appointment by visiting Ontario.ca/bookvaccine, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488. The Provincial Vaccine Information Line is open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is capable of providing assistance in 300 languages.
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Health Unit Issues Class Order for Perth and Smiths Falls in Response to Increase of COVID-19 in West Lanark County

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE: – March 16, 2021

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has detected a significant increase of COVID-19 in West Lanark County with 36 active cases in the communities of Perth, Smiths Falls, Tay Valley and Lanark Highlands – most cases are in Smiths Falls and Perth.  Public health has contacted individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts to provide guidance about self-isolation and testing. The Health Unit has also worked with the Perth Curling Club where members who participated in recreational games, social gatherings and/or meetings between March 5-12 have been instructed to self-isolate and COVID-19 testing has been arranged for these individuals.

This increase in active cases in West Lanark County has affected local businesses, recreational sports facilities, schools and families.  The Health Unit has observed inconsistent mask use and close environments (where a distance of 2 metres between individuals is not being maintained) as factors that are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in local workplaces. As well some individuals with COVID-19 are going to work with mild symptoms and infecting other co-workers. Infection is also spread through close contact in households and with social gatherings, and from there to schools and other workplaces. Some people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic so they are spreading COVID-19 without knowing it. This emphasizes how critical it is that everyone considers that others may have COVID-19 and use public health measures – be COVID-19 SMART.

Sports facilities, workplaces, organizations, and businesses can review the provincial requirements, including the requirement to have a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, on the Health Unit’s website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/  

In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in West Lanark County, Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health at the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit has issued a Class Order pursuant to Section 22 of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990.

“The purpose of this Class Order is to help contain the community outbreak of COVID-19 that is occurring in the western portion of Lanark County,” explains Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “This Class Order will reduce opportunities for people to gather and have close unprotected contact with others outside their household in public and private facilities.”

This class order effective from 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2021 until rescinded by the Health Unit is issued to owners and operators of public and private facilities that operate in the Town of Smiths Falls, and the Town of Perth where the public may gather, including but not limited to: indoor sports venues, places of worship, banquet halls, wedding venues, clubs and or organizations that may have meeting facilities that can be rented to the public.

In accordance with this order:

·         Sports facilities must close and cease operations, including curling rinks, privately owned arenas, and indoor sports venues that offer facilities for sports such as soccer, lacrosse, tennis, squash, pickle ball, etc.

·         Facilities operated by clubs and organizations must cease rentals for private social gatherings and group activities.

·         Places of Worship may operate in accordance with the requirements of 364/20 with additional restrictions related to social events in their meeting spaces.

·         Banquet halls and wedding venues may operate in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 364/20, and only events that are hosted, organized, and managed by the venue are permitted, with additional restrictions.

·         Dining and Drinking Establishments may operate in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 364/20 with additional restrictions.

Any failure to comply with this Class Order can result in fines of up to $5000 for every day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues.

The Class Order is posted on the Health Unit website, https://healthunit.org/coronavirus/ along with the most up to date information on COVID-19. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @LGLHealthunit for information.

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Ontario Launching Provincial Booking System for COVID-19 Vaccines

INDIVIDUALS 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER WILL BE ABLE TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS ONLINE OR BY PHONE

NEWS RELEASE – MARCH 14, 2021

TORONTO — The Ontario government is launching a provincial booking system and customer service desk to support COVID-19 vaccination appointment bookings. The portal will be live on Monday, March 15 at 8:00 a.m. and will be accepting appointment bookings at mass immunization clinics, starting with individuals aged 80 and older.

“We are making steady progress in the execution of our vaccine distribution plan, and the launching of the online booking system is another major milestone,” said Premier Doug Ford. “In this phase of our plan we are still offering vaccines to our most vulnerable, so I encourage everyone aged 80 and older to use the portal to book an appointment. For everyone else, please be patient, as we get more supply, the vaccine will be offered to more people.

“Beginning tomorrow, individuals who will be turning 80 or older in 2021 (born in 1941 or earlier) and wish to make an appointment — or an individual trusted to make an appointment on their behalf — can visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. On this page, they will be guided to make an appointment through the provincial booking system, or their local public health unit if there is a local public health unit booking system or call centre in place. When booking an appointment, individuals will be asked for information from their green Ontario health card, birth date, postal code and email address and/or phone number. At the time of booking, eligible individuals will schedule their first and second vaccination appointments.

Individuals who still have a red and white health card, or who require assistance with booking, can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488 beginning on Monday, March 15.  

“The provincial booking system will be critical in supporting the next phase of Ontario’s vaccine rollout as more vaccines become available,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We know everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, and as we continue to build capacity, we are making it easier and more convenient for individuals to book and receive the vaccine as quickly as possible.

“At this time, vaccination appointments are only available for individuals turning 80 or older in 2021 as part of Phase One of Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan. Starting in April, the online booking tool and call centre will extend to additional age-based groups that are part of Phase Two.

The province is expecting a high volume of traffic to its online booking system. We know everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, but we are asking those not yet eligible to avoid accessing the booking system or calling the service desk to allow those that are eligible the opportunity to book an appointment.

“With the launch of the new provincial booking portal and support number we are reaching yet another milestone in our plan to vaccinate Ontarians as fast as we can and as soon as we receive the vaccines,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Our task force continues to work to bolster and adjust our vaccine rollout plan as shipments to Ontario continue to fluctuate. The portal and customer support number will prove instrumental through Phase 2 as we open mass vaccination sites and inoculate more Ontarians.

“Phase One of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is nearing completion, and the Ontario government is preparing to move into Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan next month, with a focus on vaccinating populations based on age and risk.

“The introduction of these booking systems puts in place the final piece in the province’s infrastructure to rollout its vaccination program,” said General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier. “There is now a fulsome range of options for the people of Ontario to book an appointment and receive their vaccine, but please only use them if and when it is your turn.”
QUICK FACTS
For individuals turning 80 or older in 2021 who do not have internet access, please call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488, open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Eligible individuals can visit the provincial booking system to find out how they can schedule their vaccine appointments, or check the website of their local public health unit.

To book an appointment, individuals will need to have a green photo health (OHIP) card as both numbers on the front and back of the card are required. Expired cards will be accepted.The provincial booking system will direct individuals without a health card to their public health unit for identity validation, and will provide contact information.

To support the administration of the vaccine, 255 vaccination sites across the province are planned for March, including 153 mass immunization clinics.

A pilot for pharmacy vaccine administration began on March 12 in select regions, including Toronto, Windsor and the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington region. To book an appointment, eligible Ontarians aged 60-64 can visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy.

Vaccinations in primary care settings and community locations, such as physician offices, began in Hamilton, Toronto, Guelph, Peterborough, Simcoe-Muskoka, and Peel as of Saturday, March 13, 2021. Primary care providers will not be taking appointments by request, but will be contacting eligible Ontarians aged 60-64 directly to book an appointment starting March 10, 2021. They will only be offering the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine at this time.

To date, over 1.1 million vaccine doses have been administered across the province, including over 127,000 doses administered to long-term care home residents. Over 285,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including over 60,000 long-term care home residents. Ontario is leading the country in the total number of vaccines administered and has fully immunized more individuals than all provinces and territories combined.

For the month of March, Ontario is expecting to receive 870,480 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 483,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine. Ontario has also received 194,500 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine the week of March 8. 
 
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WESTPORT moved to “YELLOW – PROTECT” on March 15

The purpose of Yellow-Protect is to strengthen measures to limit the spread. The community spread of the variants is both rapid and wide. We are all thankful that the vaccines are beginning to be provided to our 80+ residents and emergency front line workers and that the roll out will continue for the next many months. Please don’t let your guard down in the meantime.

I have copied the regulation for Yellow-Protect from the Ontario government site to help keep you informed.

Always stay home if you have symptoms, physically distance by staying two metres apart from people you don’t live with, wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and avoid non-essential travel.

Gatherings and close contact

Limit close contact to your household (the people you live with) and stay at least 2 metres apart from everyone else.

If you live alone, you can have close contact with only one other household.

Events and social gatherings in private homes, backyards or parks (for example, barbeques):

  • Indoors: 10 people
  • Outside: 25 people

Organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities (for example, event spaces):

  • Indoors: 50 people
  • Outside: 100 people

Religious, wedding and funeral services:

  • Indoors: 30% capacity
  • Outside: 100 people

Rules for all businesses

All open businesses must:

  • screen employees (use the COVID-19covid 19 Screening Tool for Workplaces)
  • post signs at all entrances informing people how to screen themselves for COVID-19covid 19 before entry
  • limit capacity so guests can stay at least 2 metres apart
  • make sure anyone indoors wears a mask or face covering, including workers who have to come within 2 metres of anyone else (with some exceptions)
  • make sure workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects the eyes, nose and mouth when they must come within 2 metres of anyone who is not wearing a mask or face covering or separated by plexiglass
  • clean and disinfect often-touched surfaces, such as equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms and showers frequently
  • manage line ups to make sure customers are at least two metres apart wearing face coverings or masks
  • create a safety plan, post it in a place where workers and patrons will see it and have it available upon request (for example, to inspectors or law enforcement officers)

Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments

Guests must:

  • sit with at least 2 metres between tables
  • wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking (with some exceptions)
  • wear a mask or face covering and keep 2 metres apart when lining up
  • give their name and contact information

Time restrictions:

  • Establishments must close by midnight
  • Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
  • No one can drink alcohol after midnight

Not allowed:

  • Buffets
  • More than 6 people per table

Sports and recreational fitness facilities

Capacity limits:

  • Indoors:
    • 10 people per class
    • 50 people in areas with weights or exercise equipment
    • 50 spectators
  • Outside:
    • 25 people per class
    • 100 spectators

Capacity limits apply per room if the facility follows Guidance for facilities for Sport and Recreational Fitness Activities During COVID-19covid 19.

Everyone must:

  • always wear masks or face coverings except when exercising or playing sports (with some exceptions)
  • stay 3 metres apart in classes or areas with weights or exercise equipment and 2 metres apart everywhere else
  • make reservations (only one required per team)
  • give their name and contact information

Team and individual sports must:

  • be modified to avoid physical contact

Some exemptions apply for high-performance athletes and parasports.

Outdoor ski, ice and snow recreational amenities open for recreational purposes.

Meeting and event spaces

Capacity limits:

Guests must give their name and contact information.

Not allowed:

  • Booking multiple rooms for the same event

Time restrictions:

  • Establishments must close by midnight
  • Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
  • No one can drink alcohol after midnight

Stores

Fitting rooms cannot be right next to each other.

Guests must wear a mark or face covering and stay at least 2 metres apart inside and when lining up and gathering outside.

Personal care services

Closed:

  • Oxygen bars
  • Steam rooms
  • Saunas

Guests must give their name and contact information.

Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments

Capacity limits:

  • 50 people

Guests must give their name and contact information.

Not allowed:

  • Table games (for example, poker, blackjack, roulette)

Time restrictions:

  • Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
  • No one can drink alcohol after midnight

Cinemas

Capacity limits:

Time restrictions:

  • Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
  • No once can drink alcohol after midnight

Everyone must:

  • Always wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking (with some exceptions)
  • Give their name and contact information

Performing arts facilities

Capacity limits:

  • Indoors: 50 spectators per facility
  • Outside: 100 spectators per facility

Guests must give their name and contact information.

There must be a barrier (for example, plexiglass) between singers and wind- or brass-instrument players and audience members.

Time restrictions:

  • Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
  • No one can drink alcohol after midnight
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Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Region Moved to Yellow – Protect Level

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE

March 12, 2021Today the government of Ontario announced that the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region will move from the Green–Prevent level to the Yellow – Protect level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework. The sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the region over the past two weeks means that the region is on the border between yellow and orange zones.

A Section 22 Class order was put into effect on March 5 in the Municipalities of Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place and Beckwith to reduce opportunities for people to gather and have close, unprotected contact with others outside their household in public and private facilities. Given there are new restrictions on food premises within the Yellow Zone, Section 5 Dining and Drinking Establishments of the Section 22 Order will be rescinded as of Monday, March 15, 2021 at 12:01 AM. The remainder of the Section 22 Order remains in effect.

The move to the Yellow – Protect level means that strengthened public health measures will come into effect in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark on Monday, March 15, at 12:01 a.m. The additional measures include limited hours of operations for certain settings, limits on the hours for sale of liquor in food and beverage establishments and limits on the number of individuals permitted in food and drinking establishments (6) and other settings. Full details of the limitations and restrictions for the Yellow – Protect Level can be found on the Health Unit’s website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/framework/.

“The move from Green-Prevent to the Yellow – Protect level in our region highlights how quickly COVID-19 can spread when public health measures are not in place,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “Our staff are working diligently to follow-up with all people with COVID-19 and their high risk contacts to isolate them and prevent transmission in our community.  We are relying on the residents, businesses, services and workplaces in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark to follow precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their settings. It is in our hands to protect our communities, and prevent further restrictions at levels beyond yellow.”

Staying home and apart as much as we can is the most important thing we can do. Being safe and protecting yourself means you are protecting your family, friends and co-workers.

 S – Self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Consider getting tested

M – Mask/face covering on properly when in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge outdoors.

A – Avoid touching your face.

R – Remain 2 metres/6 feet apart from people not part of your household – avoid play dates, and other close social contact. Social circles beyond the household are no long encouraged.

T – Twenty (20) seconds for regular hand hygiene. Cover your coughs and sneezes.