Lake of Bays Council approved a vaccination policy for its staff at their November 9 meeting.
Carrie Sykes, director of corporate services/clerk for the municipality, brought the proposed policy forward at the November 9 Lake of Bays council meeting.
Township of Lake of Bays employees, members of council and committees, contractors, students, and volunteers will be required to provide proof of vaccination by December 15.
Sykes said those who have a bona fide exemption for vaccination due to a medical condition, or another reason set out under the Ontario Human Rights Code, may request an accommodation. Non-vaccinated employees who are not on an approved accommodation plan will be required to complete a COVID-19 education program and submit to regular rapid antigen testing at intervals determined by the Township in consultation with public health.
Sykes said the rapid antigen COVID test kits are currently being provided by the province for free so there would be no cost to either the municipality or the employee. Sykes also noted that should those tests no longer be provided for free, it will then become the responsibility of the employee to pay for them.
“Our staff is and continues to be our biggest asset. So, we have looked for ways to work with our staff members with regards to implementing this policy rather than push mandatory vaccination,” she noted.
“We let them know a couple of months ago that we were working on the policy and this allowed time for those with concerns to either contact HR or their department head,” she said, adding that HR has responded to questions and sought ways to administer the policy so it doesn’t affect service levels.
She also noted that other safety measures have been used to date including active screening, mandatory masks, provision of personal protective equipment, setting out physical distancing requirements including room and vehicle capacity limits, encouraging frequent hand washing and the provision of hand sanitizers throughout municipal facilities, enhanced cleaning of municipal facilities, plexiglass barriers, and working from home arrangements.
Councillor Bob Lacroix wanted to know how the frequency of testing for those who are not vaccinated would be determined.
Sykes said it would be set by administrative staff working in collaboration with public health. “So, in some areas they have recommended every 48 hours but in speaking with some of the departments, if they’re not dealing with the public or if they’re working from home, then those time limits may alter or may change.”
Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover asked whether testing frequency would be determined based on whether an employee works with the public. Sykes said some employees don’t work with members of the public at all but if they don’t have proof of vaccination they will still be required to provide proof of a negative COVID test. “Although working with the public may increase testing requirements, it doesn’t alleviate testing requirements,” she said.
Lake of Bays Deputy Mayor Nancy Tapley asked whether there were many municipal employees who were not vaccinated. Sykes responded: “a majority of our staff is vaccinated.”
Glover took the opportunity to commend those that have been vaccinated.
“I need to make a brief statement with regards to vaccines. I mean we’ve been promoting vaccines. I’ve promoted it at the District level. I’ve promoted it here. I’ve promoted it in videos. I think we have to follow the science. I think we have to do what we can to keep each other safe. We have vulnerable citizens in the Township of Lake of Bays. We have a majority of seniors as residents. It’s very, very important and also at this point I want to commend Lake of Bays, as I had stated in a video about a week ago, the fact is that the Township of Lake of Bays is doing very well in standing with regards to [the]percentage of residents that are vaccinated and double vaccinated,” he said.
“So, thank you all of Lake of Bays for following health guidelines and keeping each other safe and looking after each other,” he added. “I fully trust that we will be creating a system that will keep everyone safe and keep our residents safe and that in the end is our end-goal and being respectful of people’s decision.”
Council approved the policy. You can find the report here.
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