Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations will soon be required for visitors and Designated Care Partners at Sudbury's Health Sciences North (HSN) hospital.
The new requirement will also include showing a government-issued photo ID that matches the vaccination documents. Exceptions will be allowed in several cases.
The hospital said the new requirement, which comes into effect on Dec. 6, will not apply to patients.
"No patients will be denied care or service due to their vaccination status," said HSN in a news release.
Hospital president and CEO Dominic Giroux said the move is a safety-based initiative designed to protect patients.
“We know vaccinations help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Giroux.
“Many of our patients have compromised immune systems and we want to do all we can to protect them, prevent potential COVID-19 outbreaks and reduce the chances of any possible transmission of the virus in our facilities. This is why HSN is making proof of vaccination a requirement for all visitors coming to our facilities.”
The hospital said the new initiative does have several exceptions that can be extended for compassionate reasons:
- Parents/Guardians of patients under 18 years of age;
- Designated Care partners of patients in labour and delivery;
- Designated Care partners and visitors of patients who are in a mental health crisis, have a life-threatening emergency or a new life-altering or critical illness diagnoses where family presence is vital for the patient, family and or care team;
- Designated Care partners and visitors of patients who with a prognosis of 48-72 hours to live;
- Designated Care partners accompanying patients with communication, language barriers, physical or cognitive impairments;
- All visitors under the age of 12 and not yet eligible for vaccination.
HSN said visitors who are not fully vaccinated, who do not have a medical exemption and who do not meet exception criteria will not be able to visit in-person.
All visitors, regardless of vaccination status, continue to be required to follow our visitor guidelines when in the hospital including passing COVID-19 screening, wearing a mask at all times, maintaining physical distancing and following rules about visiting hours.