All public service employees in British Columbia will soon have to be fully vaccinated.
The announcement was made Tuesday by the BC Public Service Agency. Some 30,000 employees working in the public sector will need to have their jabs by Nov. 22, states a press release, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.
A statement from the agency says people working in core government or ministries positions will be required to provide proof of full vaccination using the BC Vaccine Card.
The decision was made in consultation with the provincial health officer.
"As more employees return to their regular workplaces later in the fall, this provides an additional and reassuring layer of protection for workers who are continuing the vital work of serving British Columbians,” says the release.
The deadline of Nov. 22 was set to give employees not fully vaccinated time to get their shots.
Back in September, B.C.’s top doctor made a new order for health-care workers across the province to be vaccinated. At the time, Dr. Bonnie Henry said the mandatory vaccination rule applies to everything from health-care clinics and hospitals to home and community care settings.
The order, set to take effect on Oct. 26, will not apply to people working outside a health authority’s jurisdiction, such as physiotherapists or physicians with a private practice.
Currently, more than 80 per cent of people living in B.C. are fully vaccinated.
BC Public Service Agency adds that details of accommodations that will be made for the few people who are unable to be vaccinated will be released by early November.
