October 21, 2021 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises that, in line with provincial guidelines regarding the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s vaccine passport, visitors to long-term care facilities, personal care homes and community care homes will be required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical exemption, effective October 22, 2021.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status
The vaccine passport (NLVaxPass) provides proof of COVID-19 vaccination status using a digital or paper QR code. Visitors, ages 12 years and older, will be asked to present their digital or paper QR code which will be scanned upon entry to long-term care facilities, personal care homes and community care homes.
Visitors without this digital or paper QR code can present their vaccination record issued by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and must clearly show they are fully vaccinated. For visitors from outside province, a physical or electronic copy of an official vaccination record issued outside of Newfoundland and Labrador is required. A person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after they receive their second dose of COVD-19 vaccine.
Additional identification requirements
All visitors, ages 12 years and older, entering long-term care facilities, personal care homes and community care homes will be required to show identification (with name and date of birth) in addition to their proof of vaccination status. Individuals 19 years and older must present one piece of photo ID or two pieces of non-photo ID that includes their name; please note that at least one of the two pieces of non-photo ID must include date of birth. Children from ages 12-18 can present a birth certificate, MCP card, school ID card, etc. The person’s name on their vaccination passport/record must match their ID.
Visitation for children under the age of 12
Children under the age of 12 are permitted to visit effective October 22, 2021, when they are accompanied by an adult who presents proof of vaccination or has an approved medical exemption. In addition, as per provincial vaccine passport guidelines, children have three months from their 12th birthday to get fully vaccinated.
More information: Vaccine passport and current visitation guidelines
The vaccine passport requirement for visitors is another measure to protect residents in long-term care facilities from COVID-19. For more information regarding the vaccine passport process, including medical exemptions and how to obtain a QR code using NLVaxPass, please visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘Guidance for Residents’ webpage via www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/life-during-covid-19/vaccination-record/citizens/.
Eastern Health continues to be diligent in its management of this public health emergency. For more information about current visitation guidelines, please see the ‘visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic’ webpage via www.easternhealth.ca/covid19/visiting-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/.
Eastern Health also reminds visitors that masks continue to be mandatory at all Eastern Health facilities, sites and clinics; during home visits from Eastern Health staff; as well as in congregate living facilities for seniors and within personal care homes and long-term care facilities. The provided mask must be worn throughout the duration of the visitor’s time in our hospitals and other health-care facilities, including while visiting patient/resident rooms. This is a necessary precaution to keep people safe while in our health-care facilities. Wearing masks is one of the key strategies in preventing the spread of infection and is especially critical within health-care settings to protect patients, clients and residents as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
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