Tay Township implements COVID-19 vaccination policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: October 28, 2021

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Tay Township implements COVID-19 vaccination policy

Tay, Ontario: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on with the fourth wave, Tay Township is taking further action to protect the Health and Safety of staff and members of the Public.

While vaccination rates among staff exceed the Provincial average, the Township is implementing, in line with other public service providers, a COVID-19 vaccination policy to ensure that staff members, members of Council, committees and community volunteers participating in Township functions are either fully vaccinated or are undergoing routine COVID-19 rapid antigen testing to ensure that the risk of spreading COVID-19 in Township facilities is reduced as much as possible.

Effective November 1, 2021, members of staff will be required to either have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or undergo twice-weekly rapid antigen testing. Volunteers, committee members and members of Council will be required to have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or will need to undergo a rapid antigen test prior to participation in a Township function or attending a non-public area of a Township facility.

Effective November 30, 2021, members of staff, committee members, Council and volunteers will be required to either be fully vaccinated by two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination, or will be required to undergo rapid antigen testing as above.

Further, as of December 14, 2021 or earlier as may be announced, to ensure the Health and Safety of both members of the Public and staff; and to ensure that the Township remains in a position to provide the essential services that our residents and community members rely on every day, the Township will require members of the Public meeting with or interacting with staff in prolonged "sit-down" situations to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination using one of the methods approved by the Province of Ontario. Members of the Public that are not vaccinated, or those that choose not to share their vaccination status, and require a “sit-down” meeting may seek Township services in alternative forms, either over the phone or by email.

The Township believes that vaccination against COVID-19 by all eligible Ontarians is the best way for all of us to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19 and is implementing this policy to protect all of our community members, while providing equitable options for those who cannot be vaccinated or choose not to be.

As the Township has evolved its policies with respect to COVID-19 over the course of the previous 19 months, it will continue to do so if necessary as the situation develops and more becomes known about COVID-19.

Tay Township is committed to delivering responsive and cost-effective municipal services and infrastructure that provide for the long-term economic, social and environmental well-being of its residents and community.

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