City of Nanaimo Vaccination Mandate

STATEMENT - Distributed November 23, 2021 12:04 PM

Nanaimo, BC – As of January 10, 2022, the City of Nanaimo will require all City employees and City contracted employees (i.e., contract instructors) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to protect the health and safety of municipal employees and the community.

Employees who fail to provide proof of vaccination will be given a further opportunity to do so from January 10 to February 6, 2022. During this period, employees will be able to continue to work so long as they participate in the City’s Rapid Testing Program. The City will cover the costs of the rapid testing for employees until February 6, 2022.

Beginning February 7, 2022 employees without proof of vaccination will be required to continue to participate in the City’s Rapid Testing program and are responsible for associated costs (i.e. the cost of rapid testing kits, costs of testing personnel, external testing services). Test results will be considered valid for 72 hours from the time the test is completed.

Employees who have not provided proof of vaccination or do not participate in the City’s Rapid Testing Program will be placed on an immediate unpaid leave of absence. Employees will be permitted to return to work if they provide proof of vaccination or participate in the City’s Rapid Testing program.

QUOTES

Jake Rudolph, CAO:

“The City of Nanaimo’s goal is to continue to ensure the protection of the individual health of employees and citizens of Nanaimo, while providing ongoing excellent customer service and maintaining operational efficiency.”

Leonard Krog, Mayor:

“Nanaimo City Council supports the Administration taking this step to ensure the protection of our employees as well as all the citizens we serve in Nanaimo.”

Update: The City repealed its COVID-19 vaccination mandate on April 8, 2022, in response to the Province of BC no longer requiring Proof of Vaccination.

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