Nanaimo announces mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for staff
The City of Nanaimo is the latest Vancouver Island municipality to require COVID-19 vaccinations in staff.
On Tuesday, the city announced that all municipal workers and contracted employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 10.
If workers are not fully vaccinated by then, the city says that staff can continue to work so long as they complete rapid COVID-19 tests between Jan. 10 and Feb. 6.
The city will pay for the costs of rapid testing until Feb. 6. After that, employees can continue to work so long as they keep providing rapid tests, but workers will then be required to pay for the costs of each test.
Beginning Feb. 7, if employees do not provide proof of vaccination and refuse to participate in the rapid testing, they will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence immediately.
Employees can return to work if they get vaccinated or participate in the rapid testing program after Feb. 7.
"The City of Nanaimo’s goal is to continue to ensure the greatest possible protection for the individual health of citizens and employees, while providing excellence in customer service and maintaining operational efficiency," said Nanaimo chief administrative officer, Jack Rudolph, on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.