Editor’s note: The deadline for requesting proof of vaccination was originally set for 13 September, but was extended to 17 September.

The City of Toronto mandates that all city workers or employees receive both COVID-19 vaccine doses, with the exception of those who are “legally entitled to accommodation.”

The policy will take effect before October 30, officials said.

“From October 30, it will be mandatory for all Toronto employees to have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This gives people the time they need to get the two doses, ”Mayor John Tory said in a statement Thursday.

Initially, all of the city’s employees, approximately 37,660 employees, will have to provide proof of full vaccination by September 13th. However, the deadline was extended to 17 September.

Officials said staff who have not been vaccinated or who do not disclose their vaccination status before the deadline must attend a compulsory training session. Unvaccinated people must prove a first shot by September 30, officials added.

City officials said it will comply with its human rights obligations and accommodate employees who are legally entitled to accommodation.

Regular COVID-19 testing is not part of the policy. City officials said the focus is on mandatory vaccination.

0:54The city of Toronto’s focus is on having fully vaccinated staff, not COVID-19 test: official

Tory said the city is committed to mitigating the fourth wave, which is currently driven by the Delta variant and primarily among the unvaccinated population.

“The city, as an employer, has an obligation under Ontario law to take all necessary precautions to protect its workers,” officials said. “As the largest employer in Toronto, the city is also taking a leading role in making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for its employees.”

Global News reached out to Toronto City Council members, and all 25 responded that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Shortly after the city of Toronto announced its announcement, the TTC also said it was following the initiative, giving all TTC staff, contractors and students a mandate to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 13th. However, the deadline was extended to 20 September. Exceptions will be made for those with medical exceptions who cannot get a shot.

Earlier this week, the Ontario government said it would require everyone in all high-risk environments across the province to either be vaccinated or conduct regular testing as part of a vaccine policy mandate, the latter of which is not included in the city of Toronto. politics.

The province said high-risk settings include all workers in hospitals, home care providers and nursing staff, paramedics, after-school centers, retirement homes, women’s shelters, group housing and after-school centers. Vaccine policies imposed by the province must be in place by September 7th.

A hospital network in Toronto, the University Health Network, is considering placing staff who do not want to be vaccinated on unpaid leave, with exceptions for those with a medical reason for not being able to receive a vaccine.

MLSE, which owns Scotiabank Arena and BMO Field, has said patrons and staff must show proof of vaccination or a negative test result to gain access to any of its properties by mid-September. Live Nation Canada also said it will implement the same policy for its concerts.

As of Thursday, 81.7 percent of the eligible population in Toronto aged 12 and older have received a dose in which 74.3 percent of the same population have had both shots.

– with files from Nick Westoll

1:06City of Toronto to require mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees

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