Dr. Mark TaylorDr. Mark Taylor
Sarnia

"Vaccinate Or Mask" Still In Place

Bluewater Health says its "Vaccinate or Mask" policy remains in place while an arbitrator's ruling is analyzed.

After 18 days of hearings, arbitrator Jim Hayes struck down the controversial policy implemented at about 30 Ontario hospitals.

It requires nurses and other hospital workers to wear a mask during the flu season if they haven't taken the influenza vaccine.

Bluewater Health Chief of Professional Staff Dr. Mark Taylor is disappointed by the ruling and says they're reviewing it.

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Dr. Taylor says nurses have not been "coerced" into wearing masks and finds that an odd thing for the arbitrator to say.

Last week, the Ontario Nurses Association said Bluewater Health nurses will no longer have to follow the policy but Dr. Taylor says those comments are premature.

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