Canadian private long-term care providers announce COVID-19 vaccine mandate for staff – CBC

Employees not fully vaccinated by Oct. 12 to be placed on unpaid leave of absence

Aug 26, 2021

A group of major Canadian long-term care operators will require all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this fall.

Chartwell Retirement Residences, Extendicare, Responsive Group Inc., Revera Inc. and Sienna Senior Living issued a joint statement on Thursday about the plan.

The group says employees who aren’t fully vaccinated by Oct. 12 will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.

Vaccination will also be required for new hires, students and other personnel working with the companies.

The home operators say they don’t expect the new policy to impact staffing levels.

“As rates of infection once again increase in communities across the country, unvaccinated staff are more likely to bring the virus to work,” the group said in a statement. “The safety of our residents in long-term care and retirement homes, who trust us to provide the care and services they need, is paramount.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-long-term-care-vaccine-mandate-1.6154297