City of Winnipeg announces education, COVID-19 rapid testing for employees in designated positions

Released: October 29, 2021 at 11:32 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB – Over the past six weeks, the City of Winnipeg has been rolling out its vaccine program, which requires COVID-19 vaccination for front-line employees who have ongoing contact with vulnerable residents, including children under 12, or work in high-risk settings with direct, ongoing contact with the public.

Of the approximately 10,400 employees in the City’s workforce, approximately 5,500 positions were identified as meeting this requirement. To date, approximately 86 percent of these employees have provided proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employees in designated positions will be required to complete online education regarding the COVID-19 vaccination by November 15, 2021 if they did not show proof of vaccination and:

  • Did not submit an accommodation or exemption request by November 1
  • Submitted an accommodation or exemption request by November 1 and were assessed as needing to participate in education

“Vaccination is our best, most potent, proven tool in the fight against COVID-19. What all of Canada is facing now is largely an epidemic of the unvaccinated,” said Michael Jack, the City of Winnipeg’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We made efforts to reduce potential barriers to get the vaccine by setting up vaccine clinics at various workplaces, and we have been sharing information with employees about COVID-19 to help address potential vaccine hesitancy. It’s our hope that those in designated positions will choose to get vaccinated after completing the online training module.”

In addition to participating in online education regarding the COVID-19 vaccination, the most likely alternative to being fully vaccinated will be to undergo testing for COVID-19 at regular interval beginning the week of November 15, 2021. Those who refuse to comply with these requirements may not be allowed to come into the workplace and may be subject to leave without pay effective November 15.

The City will assess any potential service impacts accordingly and will make operational decisions as required.

For more information on the City’s response to COVID-19, see: winnipeg.ca/COVID-19.

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