Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health will remove the requirement for employees, new hires and on-site physicians to submit evidence of the first COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.
In an email to CBC News late Wednesday, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Health said the resolution was adopted “in reaction to evolving evidence related to COVID-19, Omicron subvariants, anti-vaccine coverage, and a review of vaccination policies in other jurisdictions. “
NSH announced the policy update after a letter addressed to a painter posted on social media earlier in the day. The letter informs the painter, who is on unpaid leave for failing to comply with COVID-19 vaccination requirements, that he could return to work as of Monday.
Brian Comer, the minister for intellectual fitness and addictions, said on Thursday he had “full confidence” in the resolution adopted through fitness officials.
“They are experts in infection control and communicable diseases,” Comer said, speaking on behalf of the fitness minister.
The letter to the physical care employee then asks them to let their manager know their goal of returning or quitting by March 15.
“They don’t have to come back until then, they just want to contact their manager before that date to verify their intentions,” spokeswoman Lisa MacSween said in an email.
“If there is no contact, we will assume that they resign from their position. Of course, the case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. “
The province introduced mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for the fitness sector in November 2021. At the time, any physical care employee who had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine by Nov. 30 was at risk of employment consequences, such as becoming unemployed. pay.
When the mandatory vaccination policy came into effect, 323 Nova Scotia Health workers and 29 IWK workers were forced to leave their jobs.
Two years later, approximately 100 Nova Scotia Health workers and fewer than five IWK workers are still affected by the updated policy.
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