Another Vancouver Island municipality is moving towards requiring all its employees to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.
The Town of Ladysmith has announced that it is working on a COVID-19 vaccination policy for staff that will be implemented in the coming months. The mandatory vaccination policy will also apply to the town’s contractors and volunteers, including members of the public serving on committees of council that meet in person.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present serious public health challenges requiring community-level mobilization to ensure we are all doing everything we can to protect our family, friends and neighbours,” The Town of Ladysmith said in a press release on its website.
The Town of Ladysmith’s press release did not indicate when the vaccine mandate will take effect. However, the release notes that staff members who are unable to meet the requirement will be asked to complete regular rapid testing before arriving at work.
“The Town has provided its staff with education and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on the merits of vaccination, as well as implemented additional health and safety measures to protect staff while carrying out their respective duties,” the Town of Ladysmith’s release states.
Ladysmith, which employes 129 people, is just the latest municipality on the Island to announce a vaccine policy for its staff, joining Parksville. Elsewhere, the City of Victoria has required all its employees to be vaccinated against the virus since Jan. 5 while the District of Saanich has required all its employees to be vaccinated since Dec. 13.
RELATED: Parksville to require COVID-19 vaccine for all municipal employees
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