Island Health is highlighting an important amendment to the Provincial Acute Visitors Policy that will protect vulnerable patients and care providers by helping to keep COVID-19 and variants out of our facilities. Effective Tuesday, November 9, 2021, visitors to Island Health hospitals will need to be fully vaccinated, and show proof of vaccination, to enter.

Visitors who do not demonstrate they are fully vaccinated will not be able to enter a facility, including passing through to access an outdoor space, with a few exclusions:

• children under age 12;
• individuals with approved medical exemption documentation; and
• unvaccinated visitors who meet specific care setting criteria.

Care teams will also consider requests for a visit from an unvaccinated visitor based on the following exception guidelines:

• Visits as a support person to the Emergency Department;
• Visits to the Intensive Care Unit;
• Visits for critical illness and end-of-life care;
• Visits for pediatric care, labour and delivery; and
• Additional exceptions will be considered for spiritual, cultural and/or clinical needs by the care team.

For more details on the Provincial Acute Visitor Policy, see the guidelines for visitation.