Manitoba Public Insurance announces new COVID-19 pandemic policy: effective Jan. 3, 2022

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In alignment with Manitoba Public Insurance’s duty to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace, the Corporation has developed a pandemic policy focusing on protecting employees, customers and our community, which will be effective Jan. 3, 2022.

“As the pandemic continues to evolve, our health and safety protocols must evolve with it, especially as COVID-19 variants pose increasingly significant risks. This policy establishes the requirements and expectations to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus during the ongoing pandemic,” said MPI President and CEO Eric Herbelin.

The policy applies to customers taking a road test or an in-office cognitive assessment, as plexi-glass barriers or physical distancing are not possible in providing these services. When accessing these services, these customers must provide either proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result prior to entering an MPI location. While customers accessing other MPI services will not be required to adhere to this policy, they still must follow all health and safety protocols in place, including self-screening and wearing a mask at all times.

The policy also applies to all third-party individuals, including consultants, volunteers, board members and contractors, including students and instructors in the Driver Z program.

This policy will not apply to service providers, business partners and authorized agents, such as brokers, direct repair shops, and rehabilitation partners, in their own business locations. Individuals from these groups will be treated as visiting public upon entering an MPI location.

“MPI is committed to taking reasonable precautions it considers necessary to ensure the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the general public against the transmission and to reduce the severity of the illnesses associated with COVID-19. As such, this policy will be effective for the duration of the pandemic and will be reviewed regularly,” said Herbelin.

Policy Highlights:

  • All in-car road tests, including Class 1-5, and in-office cognitive assessments must share proof of full vaccination; or 2) Provide proof of a negative result after taking a rapid test, at their own expense. Customers with existing appointments scheduled for Jan. 3, 2022 and later will be contacted.
  • Contractors/consultants: When entering an MPI location for the purpose of completing work, where there may be interactions with MPI employees, individuals will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative test result 48 hours prior to arriving on-site.
  • Driver Z instructors: Individual instructors will be required to provide proof of vaccination, or proof that they have obtained a negative test result in the 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of any planned interactions with either MPI employees or the public.
  • All individuals (students and instructors) participating in the Driver Z program have the right to request proof of immunization prior to the appointment. Service will be denied to individuals if proof is not provided.

“We’re working diligently to maintain our business per usual,” said Herbelin. “However, with safety in mind, MPI will deny service or access to premises to individuals who do not provide proof of vaccination or negative test result, unless accommodation is required as recognized by the Manitoba Human Rights Code.”

Anyone on MPI premises, regardless of their vaccination or testing status, is still expected to follow all health and safety protocols, whether enforced by public health or MPI. This includes wearing face masks, maintaining physical distancing during any interactions and following the exposure protocols outlined by the Province of Manitoba.

The policy also aligns with requirements for MPI employees, which were recently announced. Effective January 3, 2022, all MPI employees must consent to share proof of full vaccination or consent to complete regular COVID-19 testing every 48 hours prior to attending an MPI work location.

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For more information contact:

Manitoba Public Insurance

Media Relations Unit

204-985-7300