COVID-19 vaccine mandate for B.C. government workers ending April 3
The B.C. government is ending its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for many provincial employees.
In an announcement Friday, the province announced that – beginning April 3 – BC Public Service employees will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Workers in many health-care settings remain subject to orders from the provincial health officer and are still required to be vaccinated, the government noted.
The announcement came just an hour before Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry were scheduled to speak at a news conference.
The pair announced plans for a "spring booster" vaccination campaign for residents particularly susceptible to the coronavirus, but Dix began his remarks by commenting on the end of the mandate for public service workers.
"It reflects what a lot of employers are doing and, overall, the advice of public health," Dix said.
In its announcement, the provincial Ministry of Finance said the decision to rescind the vaccine mandate "was made based on the high level of vaccination among public-service employees and the current state of the pandemic."
More than 98 per cent of BC Public Service employees met the requirement, according to the ministry.
"Rescinding the vaccination policy means a small number of employees on administrative leave due to non-compliance will be provided the opportunity to return to the workplace," the ministry's statement reads.
"The Public Service Agency has provided direction to ministries and will work with supervisors to support a smooth transition. This change also means that contractors and other non-employees do not need to be vaccinated to enter BC Public Service workplaces."
The vaccine mandate for public service employees was first implemented in November 2021, and the ministry said Friday that it was "always intended as a temporary measure."
"While it is now possible to remove this policy, the pandemic is not over and the Public Service Agency continues to encourage all BC Public Service employees to remain up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses."
Henry echoed that sentiment in her remarks Friday, saying "COVID-19 is still with us," and noting that she foresees another mass vaccination campaign with additional booster doses in the fall.
Asked about the distinction between the lifting of the mandate for public service workers and continuing the mandate for health-care workers, Henry stressed that the type of workplace is the key consideration.
"My advice applies to health-care settings," she said. "Those provincial health officer orders remain in place because that is the highest-risk setting, both for health-care workers and for our patients and residents in our care."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.