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(DARREN RATHWELL / iNFOnews.ca)

A Thompson Nicola Regional District director is proposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for board members.

Wells Gray Country director Carol Schaffer said she brought a notice of motion for a vaccine mandate for board members, Thursday, Jan. 20 during a regular board meeting.

It will be debated among directors and voted on Feb. 3, during the board’s next regular meeting.

“I believe in vaccines for the safety of the community and myself and my family and everybody else. The reason I brought it forward is if we’re expecting the staff to do it then we should have the same mandate, we should show leadership,” Schaffer said.

“In talking with other directors, they’re in agreement with it and now we’ll find out how many will actually vote for it.”

Director and mayor of Cache Creek, Santo Talarico, has stated his own opposition to the potential policy previously.

READ MORE: 'The time for accommodation is gone': Kamloops council quarrels over vaccine policy

Last month, the TNRD implemented a COVID-19 vaccine policy for all its staff, contractors and volunteers, requiring them to be vaccinated by Feb. 1.

Employees, contractors and volunteers will not be eligible to work or provide services if they are unvaccinated, according to the regional district.

The City of Kamloops has also mandated vaccinations among its employees, contractors and volunteers. Kamloops council also voted in favour of a policy allowing councillors to attend meetings virtually after unvaccinated Coun. Denis Walsh’s concerns over a mandate among city and councillors.

Walsh believes governments implementing vaccine mandates in workplaces is a "step too far," he said during a previous council meeting.

READ MORE: Unlimited Zoom meetings for Kamloops councillors in lieu of vaccine policy

He also believes the fact that he has had COVID-19 in the past leaves him with stronger antibodies to combat the virus than the vaccine would offer.

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