Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Visitors to Long Term Care
Western Health is advising that all visitors (12 years of age and older) to Long Term Care and Personal Care Homes must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical exemption in order to enter by October 22, 2021 as per provincial guidelines regarding the vaccine passport. Please note this does not apply to residents living in these settings.
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 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 (e.g.: vaccination record). 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 homes will be required to show identification in addition to their proof of vaccination status. Individuals 19 years and older must present a photo ID and 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 here.
To book an appointment for COVID vaccination, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine/gettheshot/.