Government of Nunavut limits travel exemptions for unvaccinated workers
Press Release
Iqaluit, Nunavut (September 27, 2021) – Effective November 1, 2021, the Government of Nunavut’s (GN) Department of Health will limit travel exemptions for unvaccinated workers. This includes workers who have yet to receive a second dose of a Government of Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine.
“As vaccines are widely available in Southern Canada, workers now have the option to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer. “Minimizing the number of unvaccinated workers traveling to the territory on exemptions will help reduce the risks of COVID-19 coming to Nunavut.”
Previously, it was possible for workers to forgo isolation in a designated GN isolation location outside the territory, and travel to Nunavut under a worker exemption. As of November 1, 2021, exemptions will only be granted for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated workers under one of two conditions:
1. If there is sudden and severe damage to critical infrastructure or if a replacement is necessary due to unforeseen illness or injury; or
2. If the worker(s) is bearing a letter from a medical doctor indicating they are unable to get any of the Government of Canada approved COVID-19 vaccinations for a medical reason listed on the vaccine’s product monograph.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated workers who do not fit either of the two conditions listed above, will not be granted an exemption and will have to isolate for 14 days at a GN Isolation location, prior to being allowed entry to Nunavut.
Workers granted an exemption under one of those two conditions must email an Unvaccinated critical worker and Compassionate travel form to [email protected] and will continue to be required to isolate at home when they are not working.
Applications will be processed within five business days.
There is no change to the exemption process for those travelling for compassionate reasons at this time.
As a reminder, vaccinated workers may now apply for a vaccinated traveller exemption by completing the declaration form and sending it to [email protected]. Residents from outside Nunavut must also provide proof of vaccination with their declaration form. Please allow two weeks for your application to be processed and a travel authorization letter to be sent to you.
Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to call the COVID-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST to arrange testing or notify their community health centre right away. Please do not go to the health centre in person, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days.
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Media Contact:
Chris Puglia
Acting Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
[email protected]
IHT5
