In order to preserve health care resources, including Personal Protective Equipment, Quinte Health Care Emergency Departments will not be providing sick notes until further notice.
On March 15, the Canadian Medical Association issued a release asking employers to discontinue requirements for sick notes as they place an unnecessary burden on the health care system at a time where we all need to focus on addressing one of the biggest public health challenges of our time.
On March 19, the Ontario Government passed legislation (Employment Standards Amendment Act – Infectious Disease Emergencies), making it clear that employees cannot be required to show sick notes for job absences related to COVID-19.
We hope the community, including local employers, can understand our decision to discontinue issuing sick notes during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. This applies to all QHC hospital emergency departments – Belleville General Hospital, North Hastings Hospital, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital and Trenton Memorial Hospital.
(Quinte Health Care Press Release)
