The City of Owen Sound is implementing a COVID-19 Immunization Policy effective immediately for employees including Council members, City staff, Committee members, volunteers and students. A media release says the policy will help safeguard the health and safety of employees and the broader community they serve.
City employees will be required to be fully immunized by January 31, 2022, and receive any subsequently recommended boosters. Meantime, unimmunized employees will only be allowed into a City facility to work if they submit to regular antigen testing for COVID-19 and demonstrate a negative result.
Employees who are not able to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine for a reason related to a protected ground set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code, which includes confirmed medical reasons, will be considered for exemptions.
"The health and safety of our residents, employees and our business community have been a key priority throughout the pandemic. This vaccination policy is an important step towards increasing the safety of our workplace for staff, and also for those accessing our services,” said Mayor Ian Boddy.
