Updated Federal Guidelines Validate BCNU's Concerns Around COVID-19 Transmission

Since the beginning of the pandemic, BCNU has stood firm that the precautionary principle must prevail at all times, and that nurses should be allowed to use their clinical judgment to determine if a higher level of PPE is required when caring for patients.

On November 4, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) updated its guidelines:

"SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks." (www.canada.ca)

These new guidelines confirm BCNU's message from the beginning that nurses must have timely and unrestricted access to appropriate PPE and are protected at the highest level when working through the pandemic.

"These new federal guidelines released by PHAC on airborne transmission validate what we have been saying for the last nine months," says BCNU President Christine Sorensen. "We know that the science around transmission is evolving rapidly and we believe it is critical that workers protection is incorporated within these revised guidelines."

PHAC's previous guidelines stated that the COVID-19 virus spreads only through breathing in respiratory droplets, touching contaminated surfaces and through greetings that include close contact.

BCNU continues to call for the unfettered access of adequate PPE for all nurses and health care workers in every single worksite around the province. Should you have issues with this or any health and safety matter, we ask that you report directly to BCNU or visit our COVID-19 resources page.