The County of Renfrew is looking at suspending the one employer rule for fully vaccinated long-term care staff.
In March of 2020, the county restricted long-term care staff to a single employer, about a month before it was a provincial requirement.
On April 23, 2021, the Associate Deputy Minister, Erin Hannah advised that fully immunized long-term care staff in Ontario could work in more than one long-term care home, health care setting or retirement home (unless otherwise directed by a local medical officer of health).
Existing restrictions on work locations would continue to apply to partially vaccinated and unvaccinated staff.
The County of Renfrew Health Committee is recommending that County Council remove the one employer requirement for fully vaccinated staff.
Director of long-term care for the County of Renfrew, Shelley Sheedy, says anyone attending Bonnechere Manor or Miramichi Lodge, including staff, must pass the provincial screening tool and receive a negative rapid COVID-19 test onsite.
Sheedy adds widespread vaccination of residents, staff and essential caregivers in the long-term care sector has resulted in significant reductions in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks.
