City of Prince George imposes vaccine mandate for staff

On Tuesday the City of Prince George announced that all city staff and contractors will be required to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 20.
Staff were notified on Tuesday of the policy change, the city said in a statement issued Tuesday after business hours.
“The city’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic has always been with an abundance of caution and with the protection of staff and citizens the top priority,” city manager Walter Babicz said in a press release.  “This new administrative requirement ensures we are continuing to do the best we can to keep our staff and citizens safe.”
The move aligns the city with a provincial mandate for all B.C. public sector employees and the provincial health officer’s recommendation that all large employers put similar policies in place.
 “Getting vaccinated is the most important step we can take to protect our families, our coworkers and our community and to alleviate the incredible burden our healthcare system is under,” Mayor Lyn Hall said in a press release. “I am pleased to say that every member of Council has already taken steps to protect our community by becoming fully vaccinated.”
Public areas of city hall, including city council chambers, will remain open to the public regardless of vaccination status, however mask requirements remain in effect.
The city’s statement said it will accommodate employees who can’t be vaccinated “related to a prohibited ground of discrimination under the BC Human Rights Code.”