The City's director of human resources reports smooth sailing for its service levels as a result of its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Vaccination mandate

Only 3 City of Nanaimo employees on unpaid leave due COVID vaccination mandate

Feb 7, 2022 | 11:25 AM

NANAIMO — An overwhelming number of City of Nanaimo employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The City’s human resources director John Van Horne told NanaimoNewsNOW about three dozen employees have been participating in the rapid testing program which launched on Jan. 10.

He said just three permanent full-time employees are currently on unpaid leave for not being vaccinated and refusing to take part in their rapid testing program.

February 7 was originally projected as the start date for City employees and contractors to begin paying for their own rapid tests after the mandatory vaccination program took effect last month.

“We are able to get the test kits for free through a provincial program and our occupational health and safety are trained to administer the tests, which they are able to do very efficiently,” Van Horne said.

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Test results are valid for 72 hours before having to be re-done.

Employees contracting COVID or precautions related to the virus have impacted various City departments from time to time, but the mandatory vaccination policy itself has not, Van Horne said.

“The mandatory vaccination program has had virtually no impact on our level of service. The turnaround time for testing is quick, and with just three dozen people to test, we can get through them pretty quickly.”

The City of Nanaimo was an early adopter among local governments across B.C. to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination strategy.

The Regional District of Nanaimo’s mandatory vaccination policy has been on hold “due to rapidly evolving changes in testing protocols. Therefore, no employees have been tested to date,” a statement from GM of corporate services Delcy Wells read.

All local governments on the mid-Island have announced, or already implemented a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for its employees with the exception of the District of Lantzville and Town of Qualicum Beach.

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