Care Partners will need to show proof of vaccination beginning January 17, 2022

With the provincial surge in COVID-19 infections the North Bay Regional Health Centre is taking additional steps to protect our hospital community.

Effective Monday, January 17, 2022, designated Care Partners at NBRHC must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 along with government-issued photo I.D every time before entering the Health Centre.

This does not apply to patients—patients may still enter the hospital regardless of vaccination status.

The new vaccination guidelines do not apply in some exceptional circumstances including (but not limited to): end-of-life, Birthing Unit, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), paediatric patients or patients with a developmental disability or cognitive impairment.

• Care partners who are not fully vaccinated, do not have a medical exemption and do not meet exception criteria will not be able to visit in-person.
• Everyone entering the building, regardless of vaccination status, will still be required to follow our COVID-19 guidelines including passing COVID-19 screening, wearing a mask at all times, physical distancing and visiting during designated hours only.
• Care Partner visits are allowed between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
• Inpatients are permitted two dedicated Care Partners (and one alternate when required).
• Inpatients may have two Care Partners at the bedside at one time where physical distancing is possible.
• Care Partners have the option of entering and exiting throughout the day.

In-person visits are not allowed for COVID-19 suspected or positive patients. In these cases, the unit will help accommodate virtual visits using technology such as iPads. Also, restrictive entry is still in place in outpatient areas (Emergency Department, Outpatient Clinics).