City Implements COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

City Implements Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Posted on 10/26/2021
As of November 30, 2021, all City of Charlottetown Employees, Council Members, Volunteer Firefighters, other Volunteers, Students, contractors, and all other people working in or out of City facilities, will be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. City Council passed a resolution to adopt the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy at a special meeting of council on October 25, 2021.

“As a council, and as a City corporation, our priority is keeping our residents, visitors and constituents as safe as possible. As a government institution, we must do our part to set an example for others,” said Councillor Alanna Jankov, chair of the Human Resources and Communications committee. “By adopting a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, we are committing to ensuring a safe working environment for our staff, safe usage of our facilities for members of our public, all the while lessening the burden and risk to those who have chosen to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” said Jankov.

The policy comes into effect immediately. Employees will need to provide proof of vaccination directly to the Human Resources department, where it will be kept and maintained in accordance with applicable privacy legislation. Any employees who have not been fully vaccinated as of yet will have until November 30, 2021 to become fully vaccinated. Those who do not comply will be put off on unpaid administrative leave. Accommodations will be made for those who have a valid reason for which they cannot be vaccinated under the Human Rights act of Prince Edward Island, which could include medical exemptions or religious exemption.

Any employee who is granted an accommodation will be required to comply with a number of protective measures, including the wearing of a non-medical mask at all times while at work, observing and adhering to all Public Health measures as directed by the provincial Chief Public Health Officer, and providing proof of negative COVID-19 test results up to 3 times a week. Tests would need to be completed outside of scheduled work hours.

Additionally, visitors to City facilities, public meetings, town halls, meetings of City Council, or other indoor City events will be required to show their proof of full vaccination, as per CPHO guidelines.

“At the end of the day, this is the right direction to take as a Council. Municipal services and government are the most direct and accessible level of government to the public. This policy will help us protect our staff and our constituents as we work towards the end of this pandemic. The residents of Charlottetown deserve nothing less,” said Councillor Jankov.