Anyone employed by the City of Penticton will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the new year if they want to continue their employment.
The City announced the new vaccine mandate today, which will take effect on Jan. 4, 2022, a date chosen to allow sufficient time for those who haven’t received a first dose yet to get fully vaccinated.
After that date, all city employees, along with members of city council, will be required to show proof of vaccination.
“The City of Penticton continues to follow public health orders and has implemented various initiatives to fight the pandemic,” said Jim Bauer, the City’s GM of finance and administration.
“Implementing a vaccination policy at this time is one additional measure to ensure City workplaces, staff, and the public are as safe as possible while also aligning our organization with recommendations from our provincial health officer for large employers to implement vaccine mandates.”
Before the policy takes effect in January, the City will follow its human rights obligations as an employer and work with staff who are legally entitled to accommodation.
Any staff not fully vaccinated for reasons that are not based upon human rights grounds, with an associated approved accommodation plan, will not be permitted to report to a City facility or worksite.
