Province extends health worker vaccination deadline; US border to open

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Allyson Beauregard

QUEBEC – The government has postponed the deadline requiring all of the province’s health and social services employees to be double vaccinated or face suspensions without pay, due to the problems it would have caused the already short-staffed system with over 22,000 employees facing suspension (see page 6).
The deadline has been extended to November 15 (from October 15), but unvaccinated workers in the public and private sectors will be tested at least three times a week and will not be eligible to receive pandemic-related bonuses like the $12,000 to $18,000 promised to those who either are working or upgrade to full-time schedules.
Vaccination proof required at health facilities
As of October 15, proof of double vaccination is required for visitors in all of Quebec’s health facilities, including those of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), with a number of exceptions.
No proof of vaccination is required for patients who are receiving care and services, with or without an appointment. In addition, the following are exempt:
• A person who is accompanying a child under 14 years of age, someone who is giving birth or someone who is unable to consent to care due to a health condition;
• Someone visiting a dying loved one;
• A parent/guardian of a child in a rehabilitation center for youth with adjustment difficulties and those who have access rights ordered by a decision rendered by the Court of Quebec;
• A person who accompanies another who, because of their state of health or for safety purposes, requires assistance that cannot be provided at the facility;
•A peace officer or firefighter who must visit a facility to perform their duties.
Visitors can provide proof of immunization in print, electronically or via the VaxiCode application
US border to open
The White House has confirmed that the United States’ land and sea borders will re-open to non-essential travel for fully-vaccinated visitors from Canada and Mexico sometime in November, with a specific date unknown.
However, details are not available about what vaccines will be accepted or if a mixture of vaccines is acceptable.