Quebec outlines conditions for health workers with COVID-19 to return to work
Global News
Quebec also announced new rules for other workers deemed essential, such as police officers, firefighters and snow-removal workers.
Vaccinated Quebec health-care workers who test positive for COVID-19 could be allowed back on the job after seven days if they have no symptoms.
Officials made the announcement Wednesday during a technical briefing with reporters, a day after Health Minister Christian Dubé announced that isolation time for health-care staff would be reduced from the standard 10 days to avoid a breakdown in services.
They said that in emergency situations, health-care staff could return to work after seven days of isolation if they are vaccinated with at least two doses.
Officials said vaccinated health-care workers who are exposed to COVID-19 outside their homes no longer need to isolate. Workers who are exposed to a positive case at home, however, are asked to isolate for seven days.
They also announced new rules for other workers deemed essential, such as police officers, firefighters and snow-removal workers.
Officials say if service disruptions are imminent, asymptomatic essential workers could be called back to work six days after testing positive for COVID-19.
They say it will be up to employers to judge whether to call a COVID-19-positive employee back on the job before the end of the standard 10-day isolation period.
Meanwhile, Quebec continues to break records in new daily COVID-19 cases.