The City of Parksville has joined the RDN, City of Nanaimo and other Island municipalities in requiring proof of vaccination for its employees. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

vax mandate

City of Parksville latest municipality to require proof of vaccination for staff

Jan 5, 2022 | 4:07 PM

PARKSVILLE — Another local government on the mid Island is requiring its staff to prove they’re vaccinated against COVID-19.

The City of Parksville announced on Tuesday, Jan. 4, they will implement a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees, contractors, volunteers and on-call firefighters.

Specifics, including when the policy will phase in are set to be finalized in the coming days, with information made available to the affected employees.

“Staff have been diligent in adhering to the City’s WorksafeBC Communicable Disease Plan which has greatly reduced the risk for our workforce,” a release from the City noted.

The move is a change in direction for the City since late 2021.

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Deb Tardiff, City manager of communications, confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW via email in late November there were no conversations or imminent plans to implement a vaccine mandate.

“This is based on assessment of risks for our staff and because we do not operate recreation facilities or transit,” Tardiff said. “We have significant safety measures in place and will continue to monitor going forward.”

The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo implemented nearly identical procedures on Nov. 23 and Nov. 25 respectively, requiring employees to show proof of vaccination or participate in a rapid testing program.

Employees at both branches of local government must have received two doses of a government approved COVID-19 vaccine by Monday, Jan. 10 to continue work unaffected.

Rapid testing will be paid for by the City for their unvaccinated employees until Feb. 6, after which employees must pay for it themselves or be placed on unpaid leave.

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