Vaccination Round-Up – March 25, 2022

VACCINES IN THE WORKPLACE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

With BC exceeding its vaccination targets, regulations lifting and the reintegration of employees to the workplace on the horizon, employers are now faced with trying to navigate the changing dynamic of vaccines and the workplace. We anticipate that changes to legislation could happen on short notice and have created this Round-Up to help employers stay informed in a situation that is so rapidly evolving.

Here are a few important things I thought worth sharing this week:

IN THE NEWS

Canada

• Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer says vaccine mandates for travelers, federal workers ‘under review’, but warns rising case counts could delay plans to drop restrictions – CBC – March 23, 2022 – read the article here.
• Employers risk lawsuits whether they call employees back to the office or not, experts say – Financial Post – March 22, 2022 – read the article here.
• Accounting giant, Deloitte, ends vaccine mandate – Consulting – March 18, 2022 – read the article here.

British Columbia

• With BC lifting restrictions, several Vancouver Island municipalities say they’re considering dropping vaccine mandates for staff – Alberni News – March 21, 2022 – read the article here.
• Central Okanagan suspends vaccine mandate for teachers, school staff days before policy set to take effect – Global News – March 17, 2022 – read the article here.

Yukon

• ‘It’s time to make this change’: Yukon Premier announces mask mandates and proof of vaccination will end March 18 – CTV – March 16, 2022 – read the article here.

Alberta

• City of Red Deer opts to ‘suspend rather than eliminate’ vaccine, testing policy for staff – Red Deer Advocate – March 17, 2022 – read the article here.
• As tourist season approaches, some raise concerns vaccine mandates will worsen Jasper’s ‘severe’ worker shortage – CTV – March 17, 2022 – read the article here.

Ontario

• Ontario has lifted pandemic restrictions, but businesses, organizations divided on whether to keep vaccine mandates – CBC – March 16, 2022 – read the article here.

New Brunswick

• New Brunswick ends COVID-19 vaccine mandate for most government workers, will recall unvaccinated workers – CBC – March 18, 2022 – read the article here.

I hope you found this Round-Up helpful. If you have any questions relating to the reopening of your business or reintegration of your staff – our Workplace Law group is here to assist.