COVID-19 Rapid test -- Image from Dreamstime

By Connor Gunn

Alberta giving temporary testing options to unvaccinated healthcare staff

Dec 23, 2021 | 4:20 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Alberta Government is giving a temporary testing option for Alberta Health Services workers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

AHS will provide all unimmunized physicians and staff the option of temporary frequent COVID-19 testing to ensure the anticipated demand on the healthcare system caused by the Omicron variant can be met.

The testing option is available for staff members who want to return to work, as part of the Immunization or Testing of Workers for COVID-19 Policy, which will be reviewed by the end of March 2022.

Approximately 1,400 full- and part-time staff who are not fully immunized have been placed on unpaid leave currently.

AHS says testing will be available at their expense, and unimmunized staff will be required to provide proof of a negative Health Canada-approved COVID-19 test that was completed no more than 48 hours before each of their working shifts. As well, a positive rapid antigen test would require a PCR test.

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Jason Copping, Minister of Health says, they needed to adjust the policy to keep patient care at high quality.

“We stand by the Alberta Health Services workers immunization policy as we have from the start, and staff and physicians deserve credit for the high immunization coverage they’ve achieved. In light of the risk posed by the Omicron variant, we need to adjust the policy to maximize capacity and avoid losing any staff if we can while still keeping patients safe. The immunization policy is about putting patients first, and this adjustment continues to put patients first by supporting Alberta Health Services in planning to add capacity as needed.”

As there is a testing option, the release says “Alberta’s government and Alberta Health Services strongly encourage all healthcare workers – and all Albertans – to get immunized, including a third booster dose if they are eligible.”