Letter for essential service employees

What you need to know about travelling through restricted provincial borders 

With provincial governments starting to limit the travel of non-essential service workers through their borders, you may be wondering how this affects you.

Some border authorities may ask travellers to show proof that they are crossing to do essential work. To make it easy for Canadian Blood Service’s employees to do so, we have drafted a letter that you can provide to authorities to demonstrate you are providing essential services.   

Here is what you need to know:

How do I access my letter?   

You can access the letter on EDA or through HR support.  

Through EDA, please go to “my personal information” and click on the last link “essential service letter.” Once you click on that link, the letter will download as a PDF. 

You can either print a copy or save a copy on your smart phone. This way you have it readily available if you must show proof that you are considered an essential worker. 

What should I say at border checkpoints?  

You should let authorities know your full name, that you work at Canadian Blood Services and that you have a letter from your employer if they need to see it. 

What if authorities reject my letter?  

If this happens, calmly explain your role with Canadian Blood Services. If it is still not accepted, return home and contact your supervisor immediately to notify them of the situation. 

Can this letter be used anywhere else? 

Yes. If you are taking public transit to work, you may wish to keep a copy with you. 

Can I use this letter if I am not travelling for work? 

No. This letter must only be used for work-related purposes.