Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) announced this week that starting November 22, 2021 it will require all visitors to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
Patients are not required to show proof of vaccination to receive care.
The provincial government has not mandated COVID-19 vaccines for health care workers, although those that are unvaccinated must undergo regular testing.
In order to enter MAHC hospitals, all patient visitors as well as essential caregivers or support people accompanying a patient in special circumstances will be required to show identification and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination demonstrating 14 days have passed since their second dose.
“MAHC continues to balance the needs of our patients with the safety of all who enter the hospital,” said Natalie Bubela, MAHC president and chief executive officer in a media release. “Starting Monday, November 22, our entrance monitors at both sites will be checking vaccination records for all visitors, as well as screening for symptoms of COVID-19. For the protection of all our patients, we encourage everyone eligible for vaccination to be fully vaccinated.”
There will be limited exceptions to the policy for specific patient populations including end-of-life (palliative) patients, obstetrical patients in labour and delivery, patients facing life-altering or critical illness as identified by the clinical team, and essential support people (due to language, mobility, cognitive ability, etc.). A provincially recognized medical exemption from a physician will be accepted at MAHC as well as any Ontario Human Rights Code exemptions.
“MAHC will not accept proof of negative tests in place of COVID-19 vaccination records for entry at the hospitals,” added Bubela.
MAHC inpatients are allowed a maximum of two visitors over the age of 18 years per day during visiting hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation must follow MAHC’s requirements to reduce risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
All visitors must:
- Provide proof of vaccination of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine demonstrating 14 days have passed since receiving the second COVID-19 vaccine
- Screen negative for COVID-19 at the hospital entrance
- Provide a phone number for contact tracing, if it is necessary
- Go directly to the inpatient’s room and refrain from travelling around other parts of the hospital
- Wear their hospital-issued ‘visitor’ sticker at all times
- Wear a hospital-issued mask for the entire visit except to eat or drink
- Wear additional protective equipment, if necessary
- Ensure the patient wears a mask while their visitors are present
- Clean their hands often to reduce the risk of infection
- Maintain two metres (six feet) distance from others at all times
- Maintain minimal occurrences of exit and re-entry to the hospital during a single-day visit
More information about visiting requirements is available on the MAHC website.
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Josephine McClelland says
That is Not right at all. If there is a family member in any hospital and that person is in a critical way at all I hope the Hospital gets sued for not allowing family in to see their loved one. This is discrimination!
Brenda Begg says
Unvaccinated visitors are allowed entry to MAHC if they provide a provincially recognized medical exemption from a physician or any Ontario Human Rights Code exemption. Other exemptions listed in the article include (e.g. unvaccinated visitors are allowed to visit end-of-life palliative patients).
Personally, if I’m a hospital patient I want, expect, and appreciate all measures be taken to ensure that I’m not exposed to someone with Covid. As Mr. Spock (Star Trek)would say, “it’s only logical.”
Ralph Cliffe says
The hospital has made the right logical decision.
Wonder why the two week wait time? Nov22/21. That is not logical!
Better to be safe than sorry!
Jim Bartlett says
Good choice, all staff should be required to get vaccinated as well.
Evert McIlwain says
So visitors to a hospital have to be double vaccinated excepted for those exemptions listed. Hospital staff now do not have to be double vaccinated. This is putting patients and hospital staff at risk. This makes no sense to me. If I am a patient or family member I would be demanding that myself or a loved one does not have anyone providing care, healthcare or service deliver, who is not double vaccinated.