Quebec suspending unvaccinated health care-workers who refuse COVID-19 testing
Global News
Data provided by some of the regional health boards suggested that at least several dozen health-care workers had been suspended for refusing to be tested for COVID-19.
Quebec’s health-care facilities have started suspending unvaccinated workers who refuse to comply with a health order that they be tested for COVID-19 at least three times per week, the government confirmed Friday.
A Health Department spokesperson said unvaccinated health-care employees had been suspended or that suspension procedures were underway in “the majority of establishments in Quebec.”
Health Minister Christian Dubé announced earlier this week that the government was backing down on its threat to impose a vaccine mandate for health workers, but he said unvaccinated employees would have to submit to regular testing or face suspension without pay.
About 8,000 active workers had not been vaccinated, including about 5,000 who worked directly with patients, he said.
The Health Department on Friday would not confirm how many employees in total had been suspended, but data provided to The Canadian Press by some of the regional health boards suggested it was at least several dozen.
The health network representing the Quebec City area said it had suspended six workers who refused to be tested even after “several communications” reminding them to do so.
“Since reassignment was not possible for these employees, they were removed from the schedule and are receiving no compensation for an indefinite period, and this until they accept to be tested or are adequately vaccinated,” the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale wrote in an email Friday.
The network representing south-central Montreal said it had suspended four workers who refused to be tested, out of a total of 466 unvaccinated employees.
