FAQ: How do you do a rapid test?

Amendments to the Residential Care Staff COVID-19 Preventive Measures Order and Employment Consequences for Unvaccinated Employees

Amendment to Provincial Health Order:

On September 2, 2021, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) issued the Residential Care Staff COVID-19 Preventive Measures Order (“Order”) requiring all staff in long-term care and seniors’ assisted living to be vaccinated with two doses of vaccine against COVID-19 by October 12, 2021. On October 4, 2021, the PHO amended this order to allow partially vaccinated staff to work in certain circumstances pending full vaccination. There is no change for staff hired between September 13 and October 11, 2021. Employees who have not received Dose 1 by October 11 remain prohibited from working at the facility.

Unvaccinated employees placed on unpaid leave of absence effective October 12, 2021, but who receive their first dose by no later than October 25, 2021, will also be permitted to return to work with preventive measures, once 7 days have passed from their first dose.

Employees Hired Before October 12, 2021, who are not yet Fully Immunized (7 days post Dose 2)

a. Employee has received two doses but not yet 7 days post-Dose 2 on October 12, 2021:
• The employee may continue to work until 7 days post-Dose 2, subject to the preventive measures under the PHO Order (i.e. rapid testing, as well as continued masking like all other employees).
• For example: An employee who received Dose 2 on October 10, 2021, may continue to work with rapid testing until October 17, 2021 after which they may be permitted to work as normal.

b. Employee received Dose 1 before October 12, 2021:
• Amendments to the Order allow any employees with Dose 1 before October 12, 2021, to work with preventive measures. They must also receive Dose 2 between 28-35 days after their first dose.
• If an employee does not receive Dose 2 between 28-35 days after their first dose, the employee will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence and the process set out at 2(c) below will be followed.

c. No doses prior to October 12:
• Unvaccinated employees must not be in the facility for any purpose effective October 12, 2021, onward. These employees must receive Dose 1 of vaccine by no later than October 25, 2021, or face termination of employment. The following process must be followed:

1. On October 12, 2021 the employee is placed on unpaid leave for two weeks and advised that they must receive Dose 1 of vaccine by no
later than October 25, 2021, to avoid termination of employment. The employee is not eligible to access vacation or other paid leaves during this period.

Exemptions:

Menno Place does not have the authority under the Provincial Health Order to consider or grant exemptions from the mandatory vaccination requirements in the Order. All exemption requests must be submitted to the Provincial Health Officer.

A letter from Fraser Health to the Unvaccinated Staff at Menno Place

A letter from Fraser Health

The message below is for unvaccinated staff from
Dr. Aamir Bharmal, 
Medical Health Officer, Fraser Health &
Susanne Fox, Executive Director, Integrated Long-term care and Assisted Living services
Dear Menno Place Staff,

For many of us, the past 19 months have been the most challenging of our lifetimes. Thank you for your ongoing support of our clients and residents as they navigate both personal health issues and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we move into the fall, several new requirements have been put in place to support safety in our workplaces for those we serve. These Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Health requirements can effect your employment. Please ensure you review these requirements and speak with your manager if you have any questions.

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination before October 12, 2021

On September 2, 2021, the Provincial Health Officer issued the Residential Care Staff COVID-19 Preventive Measures Order. The Order requires anyone working at a long-term care, assisted living or provincial mental health facility to receive their second dose of vaccine before October 12, 2021, as a condition of employment. Menno Place staff are required to comply with the Order. This means that if you have not received your second dose before October 12, 2021, you will not be permitted to work at a long-term care, assisted living or provincial mental health facility.

 

Failure to provide proof of full vaccination before October 12th is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Refusing to comply is a violation of the Public Health Act.

To be able to work in long-term care, assisted living or provincial mental health sites as of October 12, 2021, you must get vaccinated by these dates:

September 13, 2021 Deadline for first vaccine dose to ensure enough days to get vaccinated by October 12th
October 5, 2021 Deadline for second vaccine dose to be considered fully vaccinated by October 12, 2021                     
October 11, 2021 Deadline for second vaccine dose with daily rapid testing for seven days after 2nd dose until considered fully vaccinated on October 18th
October 12, 2021 Both vaccine doses required to work in Long-term Care, Assisted Living and Provincial Mental Health sites

Do not wait – get your vaccine as soon as possible. Walk-in appointments are open to anyone living in Fraser Health, including those without a personal health number. Find a location: fraserhealth.ca/vax or call 1-833-838-2323.

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website at:

Mandatory mask use for all staff

The Ministry of Health has updated the Policy on Mask Use in Health Care Facilities during the
COVID-19 Pandemic
, which states that all health care workers, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a medical mask at all times, including in common areas and break rooms unless eating and/or drinking.

Rapid testing for staff not fully vaccinated

Effective September 13, 2021, staff who are not fully vaccinated will need to undergo rapid testing for COVID-19 on every shift worked.

Staff are considered fully vaccinated seven days after their second dose. Staff who receive their second dose of vaccine between October 5 – 11, 2021 must continue rapid testing on each shift until they are fully vaccinated.

Menno Place is currently strongly recommending ALL staff in ALL buildings (regardless of immunization status) do rapid testing before every shift due to our Menno Home Outbreak. 

If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact your Manager.

Thank you for your support in protecting our most vulnerable populations against COVID-19.

What are the medical exemptions for unvaccinated staff?

The Office of the Provincial Health Officer has now provided the list of medical exemptions for unvaccinated individuals.

The details are found here – CLICK HERE

If you believe that your medical issue qualifies under these exemptions, please go to your doctor and get a letter indicating that you qualify for this medical exemption. Provide this letter to Human Resources.

Unvaccinated? Watch this Video.

Mandatory Rapid Testing for Unvaccinated Staff – Effective Sept 13 * Note change of date

Provincial Health Orders – Rapid Testing Mandated for Unvaccinated Staff – Effective September 8

Steps to take if your COVID rapid test is positive.

If a rapid test for an unvaccinated staff member is positive, the unvaccinated staff member must:

  • notify Menno Place (supervisor / staffing)
  • leave the building as soon as it is operationally safe to do so,
  • arrange to have a PCR test as soon as possible – Call 604.587.3936 – 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC
  • advise Menno Place (supervisor / staffing) of the result of the PCR test;
  • and not return to Menno Place unless the result of the PCR test is negative

If the PCR test result is positive:

  • 10 days have passed from the time of the positive rapid test, or
  • the staff member’s return has been approved by the medical health officerA

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for COVID-19 is a test used to diagnosis people who are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, which is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The test is a nose swab and is the most accurate and reliable test for diagnosing COVID-19. The PHO requires this test to be administered by a publicly funded program or a publicly paid health care provider.