Saskatchewan to allow employers to ask workers for proof of vaccination

Employers in Saskatchewan outdoors the general public service can ask staff if they’re totally vaccinated towards COVID-19 when new rules come into drive on Oct. 1.

Friday is when the province implements its proof-of-vaccination coverage requiring folks to indicate they’re vaccinated when coming into plenty of companies, together with indoor eating, bars, gyms and indoor occasion venues.

The province mentioned the brand new rules will enable employers to voluntarily choose in in the event that they want to implement a proof of vaccination or damaging take a look at coverage for workers.

A damaging take a look at must be supplied by staff not less than each seven days.

A backgrounder from the province mentioned employers want to supply cheap discover of the coverage to each worker personally, by posting it within the office, by posting it on a safe web site accessible to staff, or by another signifies that guarantee the worker is notified of the coverage.

The province mentioned employers can use a self-declaration course of and will not be required to gather or retain private well being info.

Nevertheless, employers are required to determine a verification course of for reviewing the proof of vaccination or a damaging take a look at supplied by staff, and maintaining the data confidential.

The province mentioned the Saskatchewan Employment Act supplies a authorized defence to employers exercising an influence in good religion that’s supplied for within the act or by regulation, together with companies selecting to comply with the brand new regulation — The Employers’ COVID-19 Emergency Laws.

Workers opting to supply a damaging take a look at outcome should take the take a look at throughout non-work hours and are liable for all prices related to testing, except in any other case agreed to by the employer.

Saskatchewan Well being Authority staff

The Saskatchewan Well being Authority (SHA) may even start implementation of a phased-in proof-of-vaccination coverage for all staff beginning on Oct. 1.

Well being officers mentioned the coverage is required because of the important dangers arising from the extremely transmissible COVID-19 variant and is a mandatory step in defending the health-care crew, sufferers and residents and preserving health-care providers.

The province mentioned the SHA is releasing extra particulars later within the week to all health-care employees, contractors and others affected by this coverage.

Well being-care staff who don’t present proof of vaccination might be required to take part in a monitored testing program at their price, except they’ve obtained an accepted lodging based mostly on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

Acceptable proof-of-vaccination certificates

The province mentioned there are solely six acceptable proof-of-vaccination varieties that can be utilized.

One is the wallet-sized card obtained on the time of immunization.

Additionally acceptable are:

• A printed copy of your MySaskHealthRecord (MSHR) vaccine certificates (with or with out a QR code)
• A screenshot of your MSHR vaccine certificates (with or with out a QR code) saved to your gadget
• An earlier model of your MSHR COVID-19 vaccine certificates
• A COVID-19 vaccine printout from Saskatchewan Well being Authority Public Well being

The sixth methodology that’s nonetheless to come back is a QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificates uploaded to SK Vax Pockets.

Companies requiring proof of vaccination additionally require an ID from anybody aged 18 and older.

Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 don’t want to indicate ID if an grownup accompanies them. In any other case, they have to present ID and if they don’t have picture ID, they’ll use one other government-issued ID resembling a delivery certificates or a well being providers card.

The province additionally mentioned the difficulty with QR codes in vaccine information has been resolved.

These have been quickly eliminated on Sept. 24 resulting from potential privateness considerations.

Officers mentioned QR codes can be found once more and mentioned any QR codes issued earlier than Sept. 28 needs to be destroyed or deleted.

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Questions round Sask’s proof-of-vaccine coverage: will staff must be vaccinated Oct. 1?

Proof of a damaging take a look at

The SHA is now not offering COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people.

The province mentioned the precedence is being given to people with COVID-19 signs.

The SHA can also be offering testing to anybody recognized as an in depth contact, having had a constructive speedy antigen take a look at, being recognized as a part of an outbreak scenario, or requiring switch or admission to long-term care, major care, social providers or intensive care models.

Officers mentioned self-administered take-home speedy antigen exams is not going to be accepted as legitimate proof of a damaging COVID-19 take a look at.

The province mentioned people requiring a damaging take a look at outcome have a number of non-public choices available on the market that may present a speedy antigen take a look at or a polymerase chain response (PCR) take a look at for a charge.

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