The Saint John Chamber of Commerce has distributed not less than 40,000 speedy COVID-19 testing kits to 850 firms — a measure of success for its CEO, David Duplisea.
Nonetheless, Duplisea mentioned the chamber is conscious of employers who’re going through points with staff not searching for a confirmative PCR check as mandated by Public Well being pointers.
“The Division of Well being pointers are that they have to name 811 and carry out a PCR check after which report that PCR check again — that’s the place the communications hole is coming in,” he mentioned in an interview Tuesday.
“There’s a disconnect. Some folks, we’ve heard, should not then reporting the federal or provincial division of well being for the PCR check.”
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It’s prompted swift motion by the federal government who introduced fines can be issued to those that don’t search a PCR check after a optimistic speedy check consequence.
These fines vary anyplace from $400 to $20,000.
Premier Blaine Higgs mentioned on Thursday the speedy exams are a invaluable instrument, “however they solely work if used correctly and if folks observe up on a optimistic consequence rapidly.”
Nonetheless, Duplisea mentioned it solely locations pressure on enterprise already struggling to remain afloat. He mentioned with low uptake on jobs due to authorities help packages, resistance to necessary vaccinations and now the speedy testing guidelines, companies are feeling the burden.
“It does place a burden on employers,” he mentioned. “You will have employers who say I’ve had worker for 12 years, considered one of my greatest staff they usually don’t wish to get vaccinated they usually don’t wish to get examined and the employer is left with, ‘OK, now you have got a really excessive danger right here.’”
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He mentioned all the restrictions proper now are designed to get folks to get vaccinated.
“The second problem is once more vaccination after which the speedy testing — it’s coming at time the place companies have sufficient on their plate making an attempt to remain open, making an attempt to remain afloat, making an attempt to pivot, making an attempt to determine what their new regular is and what their new enterprise mannequin goes to appear like and simply the added of burden of getting to cope with this when it doesn’t must occur,” Duplisea mentioned.
The Division of Justice and Public Security has but to elucidate the way it plans to police using speedy exams and any optimistic outcomes regardless of the federal government making kits broadly out there to the general public in October.
Nobody was out there for an interview from the division on Tuesday.
There are 36 websites out there to get a free speedy testing equipment, in line with the Division of Well being, with greater than 10,000 kits being handed out Monday.
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