The medical officer of health for Grey and Bruce Counties is recommending all employers create a policy for vaccinations for their workplaces.
Dr. Ian Arra, the top doctor at Grey Bruce Health Unit, sent out a news release this afternoon with his recommendation for workplace vaccination policies to protect workers and the public from COVID-19.
"We require a community-wide response against COVID-19," stated Arra in the news release. "Our efforts would go further if every sector, including employers, are committed to mitigating the fourth wave."
The doctor said a workplace vaccination policy is one more tool to safeguard the community and the health system capacity in the region.
He recommended the vaccination policies include an explanation of the purpose, specific actions workers must take to provide proof of vaccination or a medical exemption, and timelines for the policy to be implemented.
The health unit posted a template and more recommendations on its website.
Arra is further recommending the following actions from employers:
- providing vaccine information from credible sources;
- providing translated resources;
- supporting vaccine champions to initiate conversations with their peers;
- providing paid leave to get vaccinated;
- reminding workers that they are legally entitled to up to three paid sick days if they have side effects from the vaccine; and
- providing transportation support to get vaccinated.
