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Ontario Taking Action to Protect Against Omicron Variant

Province plans to expand boosters in January to 18+ and crack down on proof of vaccination system

Province taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario. 

The Ford government has announced they're expanding their booster shot program to everyone 18 and up as of January 4th. 

They're also cracking down on dubious medical exemptions by bolstering the proof of vaccination system.

Staring December 20th,  proof of vaccination for youth aged 12 to 17 years  will be required at organized sports at recreational facilities.

They're also recommending that Ontarians limit their social gatherings and the number of gatherings they attend over the holiday season. 

Additional precautions should be taken if all individuals are not fully vaccinated or where vaccination status is unknown.

Strengthening the verification process for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions by requiring a certificate with a QR code.

Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as of January 10, 2022.

Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.

And they're also launching a holiday testing blitz next week to offer voluntary rapid antigen screening to asymptomatic individuals free of charge.

Two million rapid tests will be provided at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets and transit hubs.

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