Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools have outlined their new vaccination mandate for staff ahead of planned rollout after the return from spring break. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

vax mandate

SD68 firms dates of COVID-19 vaccine mandate for staff & contractors

Jan 27, 2022 | 11:04 AM

NANAIMO — School District 68 provided details of its recently announced vaccination mandate for their staff, teachers and contractors.

The Board of Trustees for Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools heard during their Wednesday, Jan. 26 meeting the new policy would come into effect March 28 and remain in place until at least June 30.

Shawn Johnston, executive director for human resources with SD68, said anyone working in or around School District will be asked to provide their proof of vaccination by Feb. 18.

“Those who are vaccinated will be done at that step, unvaccinated people will have to make the choice of either undergoing rapid testing provided by the District or take an unpaid leave of absence for the duration these procedures are in place.”

Those unvaccinated or undeclared will be asked to rapid test twice per week.

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The grace period between the mid-February and late March dates allows for employees who haven’t received vaccination to do so.

Accommodations will be made for people based on a medical or human rights basis, however a District report suggested those accommodations will not be necessary given the rapid testing program in place.

Johnston noted the District will offer paid time off for vaccination appointments and any false declarations made by employees or contractors will be treated as a misconduct.

Volunteers for the District will not be subject to the new policy with Johnston stating the mandate was “not the best place to address” vaccine status among volunteers.

Any new hires for the District will be asked to declare their vaccination status or participate in rapid testing.

Start of the new procedure lines up with a return to class following spring break.

The new mandate from SD68 falls in line with the BC Public School Employees Assocation, the details of which were agreed to by the BC Teachers Federation and CUPE Presidents Council.

It also closely mirrors similar mandates made by a variety of local governments over recent months.

School District 68 employs around 2,300 staff.

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