Saint John will implement a COVID-19 vaccination or testing policy for employees and members of council.
Common Council approved a recommendation from the city manager during Tuesday night’s meeting.
As of Sept. 20, employees and councillors who attend the workplace will have to show proof of full vaccination, or wear masks and undergo COVID-19 testing.
Employees who choose not to disclose their vaccination status will be required to wear a mask while at work and undergo testing.
“The City of Saint John remains focused on providing a safe work environment for its employees and for members of the public who interact with City employees,” Mayor Donna Reardon said in a news release.
Council also directed the city manager to determine in which circumstances visitors to city-owned buildings “will be required to voluntarily show proof of vaccination or wear a mask.”
The city manager will amend the policy “as appropriate as COVID circumstances evolve,” according to the recommendation.
Coun. Paula Radwan was the lone council member to vote against the recommendation.
“The reason why is because I do feel that it is the responsibility of council to be putting policies forth and for them to be coming back when they’re amended to council,” said Radwan.
City officials did not say how often the testing would be required and who would be responsible to pay for it. In an email Wednesday, spokesperson Nathalie Logan said the details are under development and will be implemented for Sept. 20.
Last week, the City of Fredericton released its COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy for municipal employees.
City employees will have to show proof of their double vaccination status, or provide a negative COVID-19 test result twice a week and wear a mask while at work.
Contractors and other outside workers entering city buildings must either mask or show their proof of vaccination.
Fredericton’s new protocols went into effect Sept. 2 with full implementation no later than Sept. 17.
