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Several large Ontario hospitals are requiring vaccination passports for visitors

Sudbury and other Northern Ontario hospitals have restrictions but vax passport not required

Unlike new measures brought in for several hospitals in Ontario in recent days, there is currently no requirement for visitors to Health Sciences North (HSN) in Sudbury to have a COVID-19 vaccination passport.

This follows reports from several cities across the province where local hospitals are now requesting proof of being fully vaccinated.

One high-profile example is the University Health Network in Toronto. It will be asking all visitors to have proof of their double-dose of the vaccine by Friday, October 22.

A similar initiative is being put in place by Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga and west Toronto, which will take effect by Oct. 25. There will be exceptions for people visiting the emergency department and for people actually requiring hospitalization. In all more than a dozen Ontario hospitals have initiated the stricter protocol. 

In Sudbury, HSN said there is no requirement for proof of vaccines, but hospital spokesperson Jason Turnbull said that doesn't mean anyone can just walk in.

"HSN is not asking for vaccine passports for visitors entering our sites at this time. Instead, all HSN visitors must pass through COVID-19 screening prior to entering the hospital, provide a name and phone number to staff to support contract tracing, and wear a mask at all times," Turnbull said in response to an inquiry from Sudbury.com.

"However, as per provincial guidance for restaurants, proof of vaccination is required for visitors to dine in the Rock Garden Café," which is the commercial dining room/cafeteria in the hospital.

Turnbull added that in order to ensure the safety of our patients and families, our staff, physicians and volunteers, HSN would continue to review and revise the visitor policy if required as safety is always a top priority.

The full policy for visitors, visiting times and restrictions is available on the hospital's website.  

Following is a list of visitor criteria for major hospitals across the North where the hospital websites do not indicate any vaccine restrictions.

North Bay Regional Health Centre:   

Sault Area Hospital:  

Timmins and District Hospital:

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: 




 

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Len Gillis, local journalism initiative reporter

About the Author: Len Gillis, local journalism initiative reporter

Len Gillis is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Sudbury.com covering health care in northeastern Ontario and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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