New Brunswick COVID-19 policies and procedures: where do we go from here? / Les politiques et procédures COVID-19 au Nouveau-Brunswick : où en sommes-nous ?
Provincial mandates, and the advice of public health have required employers to constantly adapt and implement changes to their workplace for the better part of the last two years – it isn’t over yet.
Revocation of mandatory order
The Government of New Brunswick (“GNB”) announced yesterday that effective February 28, 2022, proof of vaccination will no longer be required for individuals to access certain amenities; and that the provincial mandatory order will be entirely revoked, effective March 14, 2022 – including all restrictions such as mask use, physical distancing and self-isolation requirements.
GNB further indicated that it would be revisiting its mandatory vaccination policy for employees, implemented in November 2021.
In light of GNB’s recent announcement, now is the time for employers to clarify the status of employees and to re-evaluate your approach to COVID-19 by reviewing:
- Mandatory vaccination policies;
- Health and safety requirements for your particular workplace;
- Employees currently on unpaid leave;
- Employees working remotely; and
- Accommodation for employees who have specified restrictions and medical needs.
Regardless of GNB’s decision on its own mandatory vaccination policy, employers have an obligation to ensure their measures are reasonable.
Les politiques et procédures COVID-19 au Nouveau-Brunswick : où en sommes-nous ?
Les mandats provinciaux et les conseils de santé publique ont obligé les employeurs à constamment s’adapter et à mettre en œuvre des changements dans leur lieu de travail pendant la majeure partie des deux dernières années – ce n’est pas encore fini.
La révocation de l’ordonnance obligatoire
Le gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick (« GNB ») a annoncé hier qu’à compter du 28 février 2022, une preuve de vaccination ne sera plus requise pour accéder à certaines commodités; et que l’ordonnance obligatoire provinciale sera entièrement révoquée à compter du 14 mars 2022 – y compris toutes les restrictions telles que l’utilisation du masque, la distanciation physique et les exigences d’auto-isolement.
Le GNB a également indiqué qu’il réexaminerait sa politique de vaccination obligatoire pour les employés, mise en œuvre en novembre 2021.
À la lumière de la récente annonce du GNB, il est maintenant temps pour les employeurs de clarifier le statut des employés et de réévaluer votre approche face au COVID-19 en révisant :
- les politiques de vaccination obligatoires;
- les exigences en matière de santé et de sécurité pour votre lieu de travail particulier;
- les employés actuellement en congé sans solde;
- les employés travaillant à distance; et
- l’accommodement pour les employés qui ont des restrictions spécifiques et des besoins médicaux.
Quelle que soit la décision du GNB concernant sa propre politique de vaccination obligatoire, les employeurs ont l’obligation de s’assurer que leurs mesures sont raisonnables.
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