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(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
October 22, 2021 - 9:49 AM
The City of Kelowna has joined Kamloops and other cities across the country in requiring all its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
All staff need to be vaccinated by Dec. 13 as a condition of employment, states a news release issued today, Oct. 22, by the City of Kelowna.
“Before announcing the policy today, we took some time to talk with staff about the rationale and importance of implementing a COVID-19 vaccination policy,” city manager Doug Gilchrist said in the news release.
Kamloops, Vancouver, Calgary Toronto and the Capital Regional District are cited as examples of governments that have introduced similar requirements.
Kamloops introduced its policy on Wednesday. Its staff need to be vaccinated by Dec. 15.
READ MORE: City of Kamloops employees require mandatory COVID vaccinations
“It’s an administrative decision to require staff to be vaccinated,” Mayor Colin Basran said in the release. “But it’s something council and I support as another way we can limit the transmission of the virus among staff and the public.”
Even though the number of new cases is declining in recent weeks, there are still high levels of hospitalizations and fatalities, the city said.
Employees may be accommodated if they can’t be immunized for medical, religious or human rights reasons.
READ MORE: Employee retention key concern if Kelowna brings in mandatory vaccination
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