The County of Renfrew has voted in support of a vaccination policy for county council.
Only one of the sixteen county councillors in attendance at the meeting Wednesday morning (November 24th, 2021) voted against the vaccination policy.
Laurentian Hills Mayor Jed Reinwald voiced concerns about showing proof of vaccination saying it should be private information and talked about a recent data breach with the vaccine portal.
Reinwald said he was not in favour of council being included with staff as they are elected officials.
There were no other concerns raised by members of County Council who all voted in favour of the policy.
Last month, the County of Renfrew also passed a vaccination policy for staff, students and volunteers at county workplaces that would require those who are not fully vaccinated to get tested on their own time and at their own expense on a weekly basis.
Those who are not vaccinated will also have to undergo vaccine hesitancy training.
Anyone returning to work at the County of Renfrew must submit proof of first dose of vaccination by December 1st and second dose by the end of January.
Proof of vaccination will also be a condition required for new hires.
The County of Renfrew vaccination policy reads those who are deemed non-vaccinated will be required to do the following as of December 1st, 2021:
- Complete Vaccine Hesitancy training.
- Complete rapid antigen testing and submit the results to their Supervisor and an Employee Health Coordinator on a weekly basis.
- Council members will be required to complete a rapid antigen test and submit the results to the Deputy Clerk or designate within 48 hours prior to attending any in person county function.
Testing frequency may increase based on a risk assessment or if there is an outbreak or confirmed COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.
The County of Renfrew will also discipline or dismiss anyone who submits misleading or false information with respect to vaccination status, test results or accommodation, discipline and dismissal may be where necessary.
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