With regard to the Delta variant, the government will make vaccination compulsory for health personnel in contact for more than 15 minutes with patients, which includes, in particular, nurses and doctors. A parliamentary committee will discuss the modalities.
This obligation, which is a recommendation from Public Health, will affect both public network and private network personnel, such as seniors’ residences and intermediate resources. This measure would also affect the personnel responsible for maintenance in hospital rooms and residences, ambulance personnel, etc.
The goal of Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé is that a first dose be mandatory from September 1, then a second from October 1.
These timelines would allow those who have not yet been vaccinated to make an appointment for a first dose, or to move ahead for the second dose. At present, 91% of health personnel in the public network are vaccinated.
“We want to make sure that no one transmits the disease to patients, and that they don’t transmit it to each other, because we need them (in the network). We must take measures to avoid the impacts of this transmission, ”said the National Director of Public Health Horacio Arruda, in a press briefing on Tuesday.
The opposition parties had already been made aware of this government’s intention and will be able to debate it during a parliamentary committee, which the Prime Minister wishes to hold during the next week.
François Legault acknowledged that this is a decision “which is not easy”, since it affects the physical integrity of people and involves labor law.
The consequences of an employee’s refusal to receive the vaccine is also part of the batch of modalities that will be debated in committee.
“Those who refuse to be vaccinated, they will not be able to work. Will they be paid? Paid in part? We have to look at it and discuss it, ”said Mr. Legault.
“Flash vaccination”
This measure is part of the government’s desire to carry out a “vaccination blitz”, especially before the start of the school year in two weeks.
Given the increase in contacts represented by the start of the school year, public health experts are unanimous on the future increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations.
All of this in view of the evolution of the Delta variant, which is more contagious.
“The fourth wave is here, it is strong, the variant is highly contagious and there is a real risk,” said the Prime Minister, who interrupted his tour of the regions to hold this press briefing.
He notes that the number of cases has increased from 50 to 400 in a few weeks and that there are about 80 hospitalizations in the province.
“The figures are very clear, Public Health too. People who are not vaccinated are the majority of people who end up with the virus, and in the hospital. “
As of yesterday, 85% of Quebecers had received a first dose.
The government once again invites Quebeckers to get vaccinated, for themselves, for their loved ones, and to spare the health care network.
Masks in CEGEPs… and elementary schools?
In addition, the mask will be compulsory in CEGEP and university classes. It had already been announced that the mask should be worn in common areas.
Public Health will make its recommendation in the coming days regarding the wearing of masks in primary and secondary classes. Unlike CEGEPs and university campuses, this recommendation could vary from one region to another.
“If Public Health makes the recommendation to wear the mask in the classes and daycare services, we will do it”, does not hesitate to say Mr. Legault.
–
