Unvaccinated could soon mean uninvited for weddings, informal gatherings
Whether it's a wedding, baby shower or an everyday friendly gathering – a private vaccination policy could soon be another sign of these COVID-19 times.
"Just like for any event, set the expectations for your guests", said Julie Blais Comeau, owner of a company offering advice on etiquette based out of Ottawa.
Blais Comeau says there's no doubt that if a private event host wants guests to provide proof of vaccination, it will in some cases come with some awkward moments.
She recommends that in order to minimize any misunderstanding, a host's decision should be communicated clearly -- and firmly -- to all guests, ahead of the event.
"It could be done on the telephone and, actually, that's my recommendation. Call the people. We're not talking about hundreds of phone calls that will have to be made," Blais Comeau said.
"I think most would be in favour of something like this, yes," added Paul MacDonald. He's general manager of Sydney's Centre 200, which often hosts weddings, with hundreds of guests.
Blais Comeau says it's a reasonable ask.
"Once again I want to emphasize ... that people have a right to make their decision," she told CTV Atlantic.
From backyard parties to baby showers, Blais Comeau says the same goes for other informal gatherings.
She adds that as long as there aren't any surprises, most people will probably be reasonable and respectful - even if they are disappointed.
If bad feelings are still lingering, she says offering a make-up date could help make amends.
"Allude to the future, where they could plan another occasion where they could gather. But for this time, they have to stay firm on the decision," she said.
"I think everybody quite frankly has been fatigued, honestly, with this whole thing," added Paul MacDonald. Julie Blais Comeau says with that in mind, both hosts and guests can remember that these vaccination decisions are nothing personal.
"It's going to get sticky. So let's just at times, agree to disagree," she said.
In one final piece of advice, Blais Comeau said that hosts who might have trouble enforcing their decisions could in some cases delegate that task to someone else – like a venue owner, or an event planner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.