Sent on behalf of Dr. Peter Voros, Executive VP, Patient Care Programs, Regional VP, Cancer Services, North West Regional Cancer Program
While vaccination rates in our community and among our Hospital staff are high, COVID-19 remains a public health concern, locally, in other areas of the country and around the world. Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to follow all public health measures to keep themselves and others safe.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated Hospital staff and Professional staff are asked to adhere to the following international travel guidelines, in alignment with Federal Government guidance, and return to work process.
International Travel (in alignment with Federal guidelines)
Fully Vaccinated Staff:
- A Travel form must be submitted to your Manager and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) prior to travel.
- When submitted a travel form, staff must request an additional 5 days off, after returning to Canada, in order to ensure adequate time to follow the ArriveCAN clearance process.
- Staff members traveling back into Canada must be cleared through ArriveCAN. Proof of ArriveCAN clearance must be sent to Occupational Health and Safety in order to return to work.
- Once proof of clearance is received by OH&S, staff may return to work if shifts are available, whether or not the process takes the full five additional days.
- NEW: All staff will be required to complete COVID-19 testing on day 8 after return to Canada, through the TBRHSC COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
- Results from day 8 testing must be shown to OH&S in order to complete the final step of clearance post international travel.
Remote work will not be offered as an alternative to any required isolation resulting from travel.
Unvaccinated Staff:
Federal restrictions will not allow unvaccinated individuals to travel by air. If unvaccinated staff do travel outside of Canada, they must follow all ArriveCan guidelines upon return, which at present will require 14 days of isolation. As such, travel requests must include this 14-day isolation period. All staff will be required to complete COVID-19 testing at last day of isolation after return to Canada, through the TBRHSC COVID-19 Assessment Centre, arranged by OH&S. Results from testing must be shown to OH&S in order to complete the final step of clearance post international travel.
All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are available on the iNtranet at
https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information.