Beginning December 6, visitors and Designated Care Partners will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or an approved medical exemption, along with government-issued photo I.D., in order to visit with patients at all Health Sciences North facilities.
This requirement will not apply to patients -- and no patients will be denied care or service due to their vaccination status says a news release.
“We know vaccinations help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Dominic Giroux, HSN President and CEO. “Many of our patients have compromised immune systems and we want to do all we can 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.”
Exceptions to the proof of vaccination requirement will be made for people visiting in the following circumstances based on 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 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.
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.
HSN will be using the Verify Ontario Mobile App to check a visitor’s QR Code before entering the hospital.
Meanwhile, visitor restrictions are still in place at the North Bay Regional Hospital.
Current care partner visiting times: between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily
Care Partner visits are allowed between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Inpatients with a hospital stay greater than three days will continue to be allowed two dedicated Care Partners (and one alternate when required) for their length of stay. Patients with a length of stay of three days or less will continue with access for one designated Care Partner (and one alternate when required) during the 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. timeframe.
Each inpatient may only have a Care Partner at the bedside at one time and Care Partners have the option of entering and exiting throughout the day.
