The City of Nanaimo is implementing a vaccine mandate for all municipal employees starting in the new year.
The city, in a press release Tuesday, Nov. 23, announced that the mandate that comes into effect Jan. 10 is intended “to protect the health and safety of municipal employees and the community.”
The mandate will apply not only to city employees, but also contracted employees, for example program instructors.
Employees who don’t provide proof of vaccination will be able to participate in a city-funded rapid COVID-testing program until Feb. 6, after which time, employees who aren’t immunized will need to start paying for their own rapid tests. Employees who don’t provide proof of vaccine and don’t participate in rapid testing will be placed on unpaid leave.
“The City of Nanaimo’s goal is to continue to ensure the greatest possible protection for the individual health of citizens and employees, while providing excellence in customer service and maintaining operational efficiency,” said Jake Rudolph, the city’s chief administrative officer, in a press release.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog added that city council “supports the administration taking this step” to protect employees and citizens.
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editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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