Proof of Vaccination for Museum Programs

• Proof of Vaccination Clarification
• Stakeholder Technical Briefing with Minister MacLeod
• Digital Access to Heritage
• Reminder of the OMA's 2021 Annual General Meeting

• i) Preschool program – children ages 0-4 years accompanied by an adult – does the adult require proof of vaccination?
• ii) Event – Wine Tasting – adult audience – proof of vaccination required?
• iii) Theatre programming (workshop, lecture, movie etc.) – cinema rules apply – proof of vaccination?
• iv) Event programs/demonstrations ie. weaving demonstration – no food or drink – proof of vaccination required?
• v) Exhibition openings – no food or drink – proof of vaccination required? 
• vi) Book signings – proof of vaccination required?

Response from MHSTCI:
"As you know, museums and galleries are not currently included on the list of facilities that require proof of vaccination in the normal course of their operation as there is typically space for individuals to physically distance and individuals tend to move around the facility as opposed to remaining in one place for longer periods of time.

"However, if a museum provides access to an indoor meeting or event space (such as for wine tastings, book signings, etc.), then proof of vaccination is required and the requirements in O.Reg. 364/20 for “Meeting or event space, conference centres, convention centres” apply. Proof of vaccination for attendees is not required if the space is provided:

• for a day camp or overnight camp for children described in section 19 of Schedule 2 (O. Reg. 364/20 Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step); 
• to a provider of child care within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014;
• for the purpose of the provision of social services; 
• for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of court services; 
• for operations by or on behalf of a government; or 
• for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of government services.

"Please note that the ministry [MHSTCI] is not in a position to provide compliance or legal advice in respect of the ROA or its regulations. It is the responsibility of business and organizations to determine how the rules applies to their operations. In this regard, you and/or your members may wish to consider seeking independent legal advice to better understand what rules apply to your business or organization.“

An official Ministry of Health resource, Questions and Answers (Version 2 issued Tuesday, September 28) is available for information HERE. 
Read the Ministry of Health's Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy HERE.

The Department of Canadian Heritage is now accepting applications for the Museums Assistance Program’s new component – Digital Access to Heritage.

The aim of the Digital Access to Heritage component of the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) is to foster improved access to heritage collections through collections digitization and digital content development, as well as activities that build capacity in these areas. The component also supports the development and delivery of related training, resources and services that benefit multiple museums.

The Digital Access to Heritage component provides funding to museums and heritage organizations for projects to:

• build organizational capacity through the development of a digitization strategy.
• digitize collections (which must be guided by a digitization strategy) and make digitized heritage collections accessible to the general public;
• develop digital content, based on digitized heritage collections, which is delivered online and/or in person and published using a variety of digital programs, platforms and channels;
• development and delivery of related training, resources and services that benefit multiple organizations;
• digitize collections and make them available to the public, develop digital content and build their capacity in these areas.

The component also supports the development and delivery of related training, resources and services that benefit multiple museums.

For full details on program eligibility and information on how to apply, please visit the Digital Access to Heritage page HERE.

Application Deadlines