Close X
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ADVT 
National

B.C. to drop COVID-19 vaccine requirement

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Mar, 2023 03:12 PM
  • B.C. to drop COVID-19 vaccine requirement

VICTORIA - British Columbia is rescinding its policy that required provincial public servants to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The province says that from April 3, BC Public Service employees will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination.

The Ministry of Finance says in a statement the decision to rescind the policy was made "based on the high level of vaccination among public-service employees and the current state of the pandemic."

It says more than 98 per cent of employees met the requirement.

The statement says ending the policy means "a small number" of employees on administrative leave due to non-compliance will get the chance to come back to work.

The government says people are still required to be vaccinated if they work in settings under provincial health officer orders or other vaccination requirements and vaccine mandates remain in place in "highest-risk" settings like health-care facilities.

"The vaccination requirement for public-service employees, introduced in November 2021, was always intended as a temporary measure to help protect employees and the people they serve," the statement says.

It adds that vaccination "continues to be the best protection against severe illness with COVID-19 for individuals, including children and youth, and has helped protect B.C.'s health-care system and the economy."

Stephanie Smith, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the union has requested a meeting with the BC Public Service Agency to discuss the change and ensure all members received "equitable treatment" under the now-rescinded policy.

“From the beginning of the pandemic, BCGEU members have demanded clarity on how employers’ decisions affect us and our working lives," she says in a statement. "Our union has a number of questions about how this change will impact our members."

MORE National ARTICLES

One wolf dead, one missing in B.C. zoo escape

One wolf dead, one missing in B.C. zoo escape
The zoo in Aldergrove, B.C., has been shut for three days as workers and conservation officers searched for the wolves, while Langley RCMP investigate the incident as a suspected case of unlawful entry and vandalism.

One wolf dead, one missing in B.C. zoo escape

B.C. Liberals boot MLA after 'Celebrate CO2' tweet

B.C. Liberals boot MLA after 'Celebrate CO2' tweet
Party leader Kevin Falcon says in a statement that Rustad, who represents Nechako Lakes in central B.C., has been removed for what he says is a "pattern of behaviour" that isn't supportive of the caucus.

B.C. Liberals boot MLA after 'Celebrate CO2' tweet

UBC researchers find 'weak spot' in COVID-19 virus

UBC researchers find 'weak spot' in COVID-19 virus
Researchers say exploiting that weakness could pave the way for new treatments that would be effective against all strains of the illness that has killed almost 6.5-million people across the globe since it was identified more than two years ago.

UBC researchers find 'weak spot' in COVID-19 virus

Three suspects arrested due to bear spray incident in New Westminster

Three suspects arrested due to bear spray incident in New Westminster
Police officers attended Moody Park and found three individuals matching the suspect descriptions who were arrested. A replica handgun and two cans of bear repellent spray were recovered from the individuals.

Three suspects arrested due to bear spray incident in New Westminster

Surrey Police Officer arrested by the Surrey RCMP

Surrey Police Officer arrested by the Surrey RCMP
The officer was hired by SPS in May 2022, with just over one year of previous policing experience. On Thursday, August 17th,  SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski suspended this officer with pay, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, which is being handled by the Surrey RCMP.

Surrey Police Officer arrested by the Surrey RCMP

Pedestrian hit by a vehicle lands in hospital

Pedestrian hit by a vehicle lands in hospital
A pedestrian who stepped off the curb, outside of a marked crosswalk, to cross the street was struck by a vehicle heading west bound on 72 Avenue. The pedestrian was transported to local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Pedestrian hit by a vehicle lands in hospital