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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
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VIEW from the Inside
September 21, 2021

National accessArts Centre will institute a proof of vaccine mandate for its facility

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National accessArts Centre will institute a proof of vaccine mandate for its facility.

On September 14, 2021, the Board of Directors of the National accessArts Centre passed a new policy that now requires all employees, artists, support workers, volunteers, practicums, contractors and all other visitors to the NaAC facility to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both the board and management of the NaAC feel this is an essential step to providing a safe working environment for our community.

We understand, however, that there will be individuals who are unable to receive the vaccination for medical reasons. Only employees and regularly attending artists (this does not apply to support workers) who fall in this category – and can provide certified proof of a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccinations – can enter the facility, provided that they take an asymptomatic rapid COVID-19 test, performed on a Health Canada approved testing device, and conducted by a NaAC employee trained in the procedure. This test will be required upon each entry.

Those who do not provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations or medical exemptions will be denied entry.

Current employees and NaAC artist participants who are not currently vaccinated are now required to obtain their first and second vaccinations by the following dates unless they provide a certified medical exemption:

  • Proof of your first COVID-19 vaccination by September 30, 2021.
  • Proof of your second COVID-19 vaccination by October 31, 2021.

This policy will extend to any future COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters recommended by Health Canada.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does the NaAC need everyone to prove they are vaccinated?

The National accessArts Centre has decided to request proof of vaccination to make sure that we can provide as safe a space as possible for our employees and artists. Science shows that vaccines are the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID19. Given the continuance of the COVID19 pandemic, the serious health risks it poses and how contagious it is, the National accessArts Centre is committed to doing its part to support the health and wellness of our community.

Who needs to provide the NaAC with proof of vaccination?

Employees and registered artists are required to show proof of vaccinations or proof of being medically exempt. All other individuals, such as support workers, Access drivers, volunteers, contractors, etc. must be able to show proof of vaccinations in order to enter.

I am medically exempt from having the vaccinations. Can I still come to your centre?

Medically exempt employees and artists are able to attend our facility as long as they have provided the required certified documentation of their medical exemption and agree to a rapid test for each entry. Artists are encouraged to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the start of their session as rapid test results take up to 15 minutes.

If you are a medically exempt employee or registered artist, you will be required to undergo a rapid test upon each entry. If your rapid test is negative, you may enter our facility. If your rapid test is positive, you must be able to leave the facility immediately and are advised to contact Alberta Health Service for further guidance. Medically exempt registered artists are advised to have a ride home immediately available to them in the case of a positive rapid test result. Those with a positive rapid test will be not be able to return to our facility for at least 14 days following their rapid test.

Rapid tests will only be offered to employees and registered artists. All other individuals must be able to show proof of vaccination in order to enter our facility.

As per the legal requirements of conducting rapid tests we are required to share all rapid test information, both negative and positive, with Alberta Health Services and the government of Alberta.

I am not planning to have the vaccinations but I am not medically-exempt. Can I still come to your centre?

Only vaccinated individuals or medically exempt employees and artists will be able to enter our facility.

What is proof of vaccination?

Proof comes in different forms. We will accept the following as proof of your vaccinations:

  1. You may show us original copies of your paperwork that you received from the nurse or pharmacist when you received your vaccinations (please do not send us images or photocopies as we must view the original paperwork).
  2. You may show us your records on the My Health app on your smartphone.
  3. You may show us any form of government-issued proof of vaccination, such as the new convenience card, along with a government-issued picture ID.

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL US PICTURES OF YOUR VACCINATION PROOF.

What is proof of medical exemption?

Proof of vaccinations is any documentation issued by the government, Alberta Health Services, a pharmacy, or your doctor that indicates you have received your COVID 19 vaccinations.

How do I show you my vaccination proof?

Please bring your vaccination proof or proof of medical exemption in-person with you the next time you come to the centre. Please remember that we must see the following proof by these dates:

  • Proof of medical exemption or first vaccination by September 30, 2021
  • Proof of second vaccination by October 31, 2021
How do I show you I am medically exempt?

We will accept a letter from your doctor that indicates you are not able to receive any COVID vaccinations due to medical reasons. We will require you to show us, in-person, the original letter. The letter must be on your doctor’s letterhead and must be signed by your doctor. If this information is available in your health records and can be displayed on your My Health app on your smart phone, we will accept that also.

Can I just send you a picture of my vaccination proof or medical exemption?

No. Our policy requires us to physically see the original documentation. We are not storing any details of your records, only whether or not you have been vaccinated. Please do not send us pictures of your proof or medical exemptions.

What will you do with my vaccine information?

Registered artists: We will not store the details of your vaccination information. Instead, we will simply mark your profile in our secure database as “proof of vaccination show” or “medically exempt”. Our staff will be able to see this information but it will not be shared with any parties outside of the National accessArts Centre. This means that you only have to show us your proof once.

Employees: We will not store the details of your vaccination information. Instead, we will simply mark your profile in our secure database as “proof of vaccination show” or “medically exempt”. Only authorized HR personnel will be able to see this information and it will not be shared with anyone except other authorized NaAC management on a ‘need to know’ basis as it pertains to your employment.

Support workers, Access drivers, volunteers, contractors, practicums, etc.: If we can expect you to attend our facility on a somewhat regular basis, we will enter your name in a secure database and simply indicate if you are authorized to enter or not. If your name is not on our list but you are able to show acceptable proof of vaccinations upon arrival, you will be able to enter.

What happens if I haven’t received my first shot by September 30 or haven’t shown you proof by September 30?

In order to keep our facility as safe as possible, you will be unable to enter after September 30 if you have not yet provided proof of your first vaccination. You may enter if you are able to provide proof of both vaccinations by October 31. If you receive your vaccinations after October 31, you may enter two weeks after your second vaccination as long as you provide acceptable proof of both vaccinations.

Please note that in-person sessions are limited in size. If you are unable to provide the required proof by the required dates, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to attend in person at all. You may be able to attend our remote Zoom sessions instead.

What happens if I haven’t received by second shot by October 31 or haven’t shown you proof by October 31?

In order to keep our facility as safe as possible, you will be unable to enter after October 31 if you have not yet provided proof of both vaccinations. If you receive your vaccinations after October 31, you may enter two weeks after your second vaccination as long as you provide acceptable proof of both vaccinations.

Please note that in-person sessions are limited in size. If you are unable to provide the required proof by the required dates, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to attend in person at all. You may be able to attend our remote Zoom sessions instead.

What is a rapid test?

Trained NaAC employees will use a Health Canada approved Rapid Point of Care Test (POCT) to screen asymptomatic and medically exempt employees and registered artists for potential COVID19 infection. While these tests are not considered 100% conclusive and a negative rapid test does not guarantee the absence of COVID infection. They will, however, help us to further prevent the spread of COVID19 without excluding those employees and artists who cannot receive the vaccinations for medical reasons.

Any individuals with a positive test will be required to leave our facility immediately and seek assistance from Alberta Health Services.

What happens if I have a rapid test and it is positive?

If your rapid test is positive, you must be able to leave the facility immediately and are advised to contact Alberta Health Service for further guidance. Those with a positive rapid test will not be able to return to our facility for at least 14 days following their rapid test.

As per the legal requirements of conducting rapid tests we are required to share all rapid test information, both negative and positive, with Alberta Health Services and the government of Alberta.

Only individuals who are vaccinated may enter our building. If you are an artist who must attend with a support worker, your support worker must be able to show proof of vaccination or you may not enter the facility. If you are an artist who is simply dropped off or picked up by a support worker, you will be able to enter as long as you have provided proof of vaccinations but your support worker must wait outside. 

Do I have to show you my proof of vaccination every time I come?

No. For those who attend regularly, or somewhat regularly, you are only required to show proof of each vaccination once. For those who are required to enter infrequently, or one time only, you may request we list you in our database or you may show us acceptable proof of vaccination each time you enter.

I am an artist that currently comes for in-person sessions but I am not vaccinated. Can I still come to your centre?

Only vaccinated or medically exempt artists will be able to attend in-person sessions. Unvaccinated artists or those who do not wish to share proof of vaccinations will be invited to attend our remote Zoom sessions.

Does this mean that the NaAC is going to re-open all of its in-person sessions?

Our ultimate goal is to be able to re-open all of our in-person capacity once we are safely able to do so. At this time, the NaAC will continue with its current Zoom and in-person schedules. We will closely monitor the developments of the COVID19 situation and will continue to follow the restrictions and safety protocols put forward by government health authorities. We recommend all artists and their support networks to follow us social media where they can keep abreast of any changes.

What if I am vaccinated but I don’t want to come to in-person sessions?

Absolutely! That is your choice and one that we respect. If you do not wish to attend in-person, you will be invited to continue attending our Zoom sessions.

Can I still attend arts sessions if I am not vaccinated?

Non-vaccinated artists who are not medically exempt will be able to attend our remote Zoom sessions only.

Are you keeping your other COVID-19 safety protocols in place?

Yes. To view our COVID19 safety protocols click here.

 

I only need to enter your facility one time; does it matter if I am vaccinated or not?

Yes. Only vaccinated individuals or medically exempt employees or artists will be able to enter our facility. If you are vaccinated, you must be able to show proof of vaccinations upon entry. If you are unvaccinated or unable to show proof of vaccination you will not be able to enter.

Was your question not answered?

If you read through our FAQs and still have more questions, please contact Kylie at 403.253.3174 x 0 or email info@accessarts.ca

To download a PDF version of our FAQs, click here.

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The National accessArts Centre.

8038 Fairmount Drive SE
Calgary, Alberta T2H 0Y1
(403) 253.3174 | info@accessarts.ca

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How to contact NaAC.

GENERAL INQUIRIES
Kylie Poppe: Coordinator, Artist Services
(403) 253.3174 x 0 | info@accessarts.ca

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu: President and CEO
(403) 253.3174 x 1 | js.ryu@accessarts.ca

PDD/PROGRAM INQUIRIES
Heather Jones: Senior Manager, Operations
(403) 253.3174 x 3 | heather.jones@accessarts.ca

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