Contrary to what was initially feared, construction contractors are not subject to the obligation of the vaccination passport in large-area hardware stores which have dedicated spaces for professionals.
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This is the exception granted to them by the Government of Quebec, following intense representations from the Quebec Association of Hardware and Building Materials (AQMAT).
Thus, unvaccinated building contractors can continue to patronize building materials retailers larger than 1,500 square meters (16,000 sq ft), provided they use “their own accesses and non-public sections of home improvement centers,” confirmed to the Journal Richard Darveau, president of AQMAT.
In recent weeks, several large hardware stores targeted by the most recent health measures in Quebec City had openly worried about having to turn their backs on construction contractors – often important customers – simply because they were not vaccinated. .
Construction companies and their employees (plumbers, electricians, painters, etc.) – in a way the business (or B2B) customers of hardware stores – “are not directly concerned” by the ministerial decree of the Ministry of Health and social services of Quebec, we rejoiced on the side of the renovation centers.
This does not mean, however, warns their president, that these companies or their representatives will be able to circumvent the scope of the decree. “In other words, specifies Mr. Darveau, if a worker (vaccinated or not) decides to show up at the main door of a store which does not have access or spaces reserved for contractors, he will have to line up and present his vaccination proof like everyone else”.
In a note sent to its members, the management of AQMAT urges them “to take all means so that the professional clientele is screened carefully” and “to avoid frustrations among the general public which could feel aggrieved” to see that customers do not respect the checkpoint.