Here are the noteworthy vaccine policies for Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa is now dealing with the fourth waveof the COVID-19 pandemic, but thanks to readily available vaccines, things look a lot different than other waves.

The vast majority of institutions currently remain open, and manyhave introduced vaccination policies for both staff and members of the public.

So if you're wondering about the rules for thatbig fall music festival, or want to know if your child's teacher needs both shots, bookmark this page. We will regularly updateit to bring you the latest information.

One thing to note: COVID-19 vaccination policies typically do not apply to people who can show medical reasons prevent them from getting immunized.

People in western Quebec should also be awaretheir provinceinstituteda vaccine passport system that began Sept. 1. Ontario's proof of vaccination system startedSept. 22.

Governments

• Most federal public servants have to disclose their vaccination status. As of Nov. 15, those covered by the policy who aren't fully vaccinated without a valid reason can be put on unpaid leave.
• City of Ottawa staff and city councillorsmust be fully vaccinated as of Nov. 15, an extension of the original deadline. Those who are not vaccinated by that datewon't be allowed to keep working and as of Nov. 15, 96 per cent were fully vaccinated; about 600 staff were not.Four unions have filed grievances over this.
• The City of Gatineau is following Quebec's vaccine policies, which currently do not require municipal employees to be vaccinated.
• The Nationstaffhave to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22and if they aren't, they will need to be tested twice a week at their expense.

The health sector

Ontario health officials have directed hospitals across Ontario to come up with a vaccination plan, but the province has stopped short of making vaccines mandatory for health-care workers.

Here are the policies in place for eastern Ontario's health-care facilities:

• All staff and most visitors at The Ottawa Hospitalmust be fully vaccinated. It said Nov. 2 more than 99 per cent of staff, physicians and residents had done that and another 186 people were on unpaid leave.
• At Queensway Carleton Hospital,all employees and visitors must have both doses.
• The region's children's hospital,CHEO, has made double vaccination mandatory for staff, contractors, volunteers andlearners. It said Oct. 29 more than 99 per cent of its workforce had been fully vaccinated.
• TheBruyre Hospitalis mandating vaccines for anyone whoworks, learns, performsresearch, volunteers oris a member of its designated care program.
• Employeesat theMontfort Hospitalmust have their second dose. As of Oct. 18, 100 per cent of its physicians and 97.5 per cent of staff had done so.
• Both the Almonte and Carleton Place hospitals are requiring visitors be fully vaccinated.
• The Brockville General Hospitalrequires anyone working on-site at any of the hospital's properties to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes employees, professional staff, contractors, volunteers and students.
• TheCornwall Community Hospitalrequires all of its staff, physicians, contractors, volunteers, students and visitors to be fully vaccinated.
• TheKingston Health Sciences Centrerequired staff, physicians,learners and visitors tobe fully vaccinated. It said on Sept. 24 it had suspended 136 of its approximately 5,700 staff without pay for not following the rules.
• The Winchester District Memorial Hospital requires all employees, physicians, volunteers, learners, contractors, and new hires to be fully vaccinated. As of Sept. 1, 100 per cent of medical staff and volunteers were fully vaccinated, aswere 97 per cent of employees.

Ontariorequires long-term care workersacrossthe province have at least a first dose as of Nov. 15 and be fully vaccinated by Dec. 13, removing the current option to undergo regularCOVID-19 tests.

Private long-term care homes run byChartwell Retirement Residences, Extendicare, Responsive Group Inc., Revera Inc.and Sienna Senior Livingrequire employees to be fully vaccinatedand those who aren't will be placed on unpaid leave.

Quebec health-care workerswho are not adequately vaccinated by Nov.15 will lose bonuses and have to be regularly tested. New workers will be suspended without pay.

Visitors toCISSS de l'Outaouais (CISSSO) facilitieshave to show proof they're fully vaccinated. There are exceptions for guardians and palliative care.

School boards

With in-person classes returning, Ontariohaslaid out rules for unvaccinated teachersanddirected Ontario's school boards to come up with their own vaccination policies.

Quebec will not require school staff to be vaccinated.

• TheOttawa Catholic School Boardis requiring all employees, bus drivers, frequent essential visitors, trustees and other professionals to be either fully vaccinatedor to agree to regular tests and participate in a vaccine education program. Staff who don't could be fired.
• Vaccines aremandatory for staff and volunteers at theOttawa-Carleton District School Board as of Nov. 15, butnotfor students. Leave withoutpay is possible for those who don't follow them. As of Sept. 28, more than 90per cent of these staff were fully vaccinated, said the board.
• TheConseil des coles catholiques du Centre-Est, Ottawa's French Catholic school board, is asking school staff for proof of vaccination, and anyone who is not vaccinated will have to undergo training and regular screening.

Colleges and universities

• The University of Ottawa is requiring all students, staff, faculty andvisitors to be fully vaccinated.
• AtCarleton University,anyone showing up on campus must have had at least two doses.
• Algonquin Collegeis mandating at least two doses for students, employees, contractors and visitorsin its Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke campuses.
• Students, staff and facultyatQueen's Universityin Kingston must be fully vaccinated. Visitors must also abide by that policy.
• All students, employees, contractors and visitors at the threeSt. Lawrence Collegecampuses must be fully vaccinated this fall.

Getting around

Many people in the travel sector both workers and travellers are covered by the federal vaccine rules announced in early October.

• BothOC Transpoand theSocit de transport de l'Outaouais(STO)are part of the federally regulated transportation sector, meaningthe government will requirethat employees be vaccinated by the end of October.

Sports

Sporting events are covered under provincial vaccine passports. Many eastern Ontario health units have tightened rules for organized indoor sports, check with yours for details.

Gatineauwill require proof of vaccination for its arenas and pools, but not for parks and for renting recreational equipment. Here are more details in French from Radio-Canada, including city rules affecting this next section.

Arts and entertainment

• National museums such as the war, nature and science museums and the National Gallery of Canada will require visitors to prove they're fully vaccinated as of Dec. 1. Before that date, proof is only needed for eating areas of some museums.
• TheOttawa Art Galleryrequires visitors to show proof.

First responders

• The Ottawa Police Servicehassaid all members will need to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 31, 2022. Until that time, those who are not fully vaccinated must providea negative COVID-19 test every 72 hours.
• A policy is also in the works for Ontario Provincial Police members.
• Firefightersfall under the policy that's been announced by the City of Ottawa.
• The province has said allambulance servicesmust have a vaccination policy in place for paramedics.

Shopping and dining

• Large Ottawa malls like the Rideau Centre, the St. Laurent Shopping Centreand the BayshoreShopping Centrewill onlyrequire proof of vaccination for services such as theatres, gyms and indoor dining ones that would require proof outsidea mall.
• The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is advising its members not to create their own vaccination policies.