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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.