N.S. Expands Mandatory Vaccine Policy To Cover Prisons, Childcare Sector
HALIFAX — The government of Nova Scotia is expanding its mandatory vaccination policy to cover provincial prisons, as well as the regulated childcare sector.
As of today, all correctional officers, youth workers, staff volunteers, visitors, contractors, and service providers who work in prisons must show proof they are vaccinated.
Early childhood educators, staff, volunteers, practicum students, or other professionals entering regulated childcare settings must also be fully vaccinated.
People in these positions are part of a growing list of provincial employees who fall under the government’s new vaccine mandate. Premier Tim Houston first announced the policy Sept. 29.
It covers cover several sectors, including healthcare workers, long-term care workers, paramedics, teachers, and a few others. A complete list of all the affected professions is available here.
People in positions covered by the policy who aren’t yet vaccinated have until November 30 to get both of their vaccines.
If they don’t, they will be put on unpaid administrative leave.
“Simply put, our vaccination rates are not high enough and we need to protect those who cannot protect themselves. People have had ample opportunities to get vaccinated, but there are still too many people who are choosing not to protect themselves and others,” the premier said when he first announced the program.
RELATED: N.S. Implementing Mandatory Vaccine Policy For Some Government Employees
As of October 3, 730,126 Nova Scotians have received two vaccine doses.
Between October 1 and October 4, the province recorded 86 new Covid-19 cases and 94 recoveries. There are a total of 231 active cases in the province. Sixteen infected people are in the hospital, including four in ICU.
Meanwhile, there is community spread of the virus in the province’s Central Zone, primarily among people aged 20 to 40 who are unvaccinated and participating in social activities.
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