The City of Parksville is taking steps to prepare for a mandatory vaccination policy for its employees.
According to a release by the city’s manager of communications, details of theimplementation plan and policy will be finalized in the coming days.
Employees, contractors, volunteers and on-call firefighters will be required to provide proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
A news release noted that throughout the ongoing pandemic, the city has followed WorkSafeBC and the provincial health officer’s orders and guidelines, and is monitoring the effectiveness of their COVID-19 protocols.
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The released indicated city staff have been diligent in adhering to the city’s WorksafeBC Communicable Disease Plan which has greatly reduced the risk for their workforce.Senior city staff have maintained regular communications with neighbouring governments, as well as the Vancouver Island Medical Health Officer throughout the pandemic.
The city will continue to review best practices for the protection of their staff and public to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and enable the city to provide uninterrupted essential and important municipal services.The decision to implement mandatory vaccinations is consistent with federal, provincial, and other local governments within British Columbia that have also announced vaccine mandates.
More information on municipal services during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at https://letstalkparksville.ca/covid-19
– NEWS Staff, submitted