City of Edmonton, EPS make COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees
The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service (EPS) are introducing vaccine mandates for all their employees.
Announced on Monday, all city employees will need one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 30 and two doses by Oct. 30 to ensure full vaccination by Nov. 15, a statement read.
“We believe this is the right decision for our workforce, the right decision for protecting our community and the right decision for the health care system,” Andre Corbould, the city manager, said in a media availability.
According to the city, as of Sept. 13, 72 per cent of employees had reported they were fully immunized.
Anyone not fully immunized by the November deadline will have to comply with COVID-19 rapid testing up to twice per week at their own cost. If the employee does not register for testing they will be placed on leave without pay, the city said.
According to Corbould, the deadline was chosen to give employees time to receive either both shots or their final dose, consult with their medical providers, and ensure enough time between shots to grant immunity.
The city will accommodate employees who require an exemption on the basis of protected legal ground such as medical or religious reasons.
“As one of Alberta’s largest employers, the city has a duty to support reducing the spread of COVID-19,” Corbould said. “We want to help bring an end to this pandemic.
“We encourage other local businesses and organizations in the city to adopt a vaccine policy as well.”
Corbould added that mandating vaccines for employees will add to the city’s layered COVID-19 measures that include masking, physical distancing, pre-shift employee screening, increased sanitizing and handwashing.
“Our goal is to keep our facilities open, our services running, and our employees safe and healthy,” he said.
EPS CREATES VACCINE MANDATE FOR OFFICERS
Cheryl Sheppard, EPS spokesperson, said in a statement that while vaccination rate for the police force is “relatively high,” the current COVID-19 case surge pushed the organization to implement the mandate.
“As such, the EPS is implementing protocols,” Sheppard said, “to ensure we are providing a safe environment to ensure we are providing a safe environment for our employees and the citizens we serve.”
Effective Oct. 18, EPS employees will need to indicate whether they are fully vaccinated and that it has been more than 14 days since they received both doses; submit to rapid testing at their own expense; or go on leave without pay.
EPS volunteers and contractors will also be subject to the vaccine rules.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 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.
BREAKING 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.
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.
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.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
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.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.