Ontario makes COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for long-term care staff

Ontario announced a mandatory vaccination policy for staff at long-term care homes.

Beginning Nov. 15, all in-home staff, support workers, students and volunteers must be fully vaccinated unless they have a valid medical exemption.

Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips says anyone who is not fully vaccinated by then will not be able to enter a long-term care home to work.

Fully vaccinated staff, caregivers and visitors of long-term care homes will also be randomly tested to try to detect breakthrough cases early.

Phillips says there are not enough vaccinated staff in many homes.

The government’s previous policy required unvaccinated workers to get tested regularly.