COVID-19 vaccine mandate implemented for Fort McMurray Catholic Schools staff
All staff and teachers at Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease.
The school district announced the vaccine mandate Friday that will include independent contractors, volunteers, and employees.
Staff members will need to declare their vaccination status by Oct. 29 and be fully vaccinated no later than Dec. 20, unless they have an approved medical exemption or elect to participate in a regular rapid COVID-19 testing program.
“Fort McMurray Catholic Schools is committed to doing whatever we can in order to keep staff and students as safe as possible,” said Superintendent George McGuigan, in a statement.
“Mandating vaccinations is another step in the layering measures we have in place in our schools,” McGuigan added.
CTV News Edmonton reached out to Fort McMurray Public Schools for comment and to see if they plan to introduce a vaccine mandate of their own.
Edmonton public and Catholic school boards have already announced vaccine mandates, as well as Calgary Catholic and the Calgary Board of Education.
- Edmonton Public Schools to require staff be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
- Edmonton Catholic Schools will require all staff to be fully vaccinated
- CBE says employees must be fully vaccinated by mid-December
- Calgary Catholic Schools vote in vaccine mandate for all staff
The Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) has indicated it supports vaccine mandates and has been advocating for the province to implement the measure province-wide.
- Alberta Teachers Association supports vaccine mandates for teachers, staff
- Independence, skepticism drive low vaccination rates in rural Alberta
“The best way to support student safety at a time when so many students cannot be vaccinated is to ensure that the adults around them are vaccinated," said Jason Schilling, ATA president, in a previous statement in September.
With files from CTV News Calgary’s Melissa Gilligan
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.