The deadline has passed for mandated employees to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Provincial civil servants were given until the end of November to have at least a first dose of vaccine or risk being put on unpaid leave from their jobs.<\/p>\n
In a release, Premier Tim Houston says he has been told there would be few disruptions to service as 99 percent of provincial government employees have been vaccinated with at least one dose.<\/p>\n
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development says some school bus routes in Halifax may be impacted but those will be covered off by other drivers.<\/p>\n
Long-term care facilities across the province are keeping a close eye the number of unvaccinated employees as well.<\/p>\n
The sector already struggles to maintain staffing levels and anyone not reporting for work could affect care at those facilities.<\/p>\n
According to the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care the shortfall could be made up by offering full time employment to existing casual and part time workers.<\/p>\n
Employment agencies and travelling nursing staff could also be brought in.<\/p>\n
Just 20 exemptions to the vaccine mandate have been granted.<\/p>\n
Two of those came from the 134 human rights requests and 18 exemptions were issued from 49 medical requests.<\/p>\n
Almost 85 percent of Nova Scotians have been vaccinated with one dose and 81.3 percent are fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n