Ottawa rolling out rapid COVID-19 tests as vaccine mandates prepare to snap into place
Global News
Employees of the federal public service who refuse to disclose their vaccination status or who are not willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine can be placed on unpaid leave on Nov. 15.
Federal public servants who have a valid medical or religious reason not to get the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to use rapid antigen tests as an alternative. However, those tests currently “aren’t accepted” for passengers on domestic planes or trains who have a medical exemption from getting their vaccine.
An order-in-council issued on Oct. 6 authorized the federal health minister to transfer COVID-19 test kits “to any province or to any body or person in Canada in support of the Government of Canada’s implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination initiative.”
A spokesperson for Health Canada confirmed the authorization comes as the federal government is preparing to deliver rapid antigen tests to organizations or departments that fall under the mandate so they can accommodate employees who are unable to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The rapid testing alternative does not apply to employees who are simply unwilling to get the vaccine.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Aug. 13 that COVID-19 vaccination will be required this fall for all employees of the federal public service, as well as for anyone wanting to board a plane or a train.
The details were unveiled earlier this month, when officials confirmed those requirements will snap into place on Oct. 30 for those over the age of 12 and seeking to board a plane or a train in Canada.
There will be a temporary grace period in the travel rules until Nov. 30, “when travellers who don’t yet qualify as fully vaccinated will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of travel.”
According to those travel rules, there will be “very limited exceptions to address specific situations such as emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated.”
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