As Ontario business owners prepare to start checking customer's vaccine passports - the Middlesex-London Health Unit is asking them to check their employees' as well.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said on Friday that the Health Unit recommends all employers have a mandatory vaccine policy.
“The Delta variant continues to spread rapidly in our community, and in order to keep our schools and businesses safe and open, we need all workplaces and business operators in London and Middlesex County to implement mandatory vaccination policies,” Mackie said in a news release on Friday. "Now that vaccine certificates have been announced, all employers and organizations should plan for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies to help keep everyone in their facilities safe.”
The call for vaccination policies includes exemptions for those with medical conditions and other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The provincial government announced a new vaccine certificate system at a news conference on Wednesday.
“As the world continues its fight against the Delta variant, our government will never waver in our commitment to do what’s necessary to keep people safe, protect our hospitals and minimize disruptions to businesses,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Based on the latest evidence and best advice, COVID-19 vaccine certificates give us the best chance to slow the spread of this virus while helping us to avoid further lockdowns. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please do so today.”
The Health Unit's website offers advice on setting up vaccination rules at a workplace.
Meantime, appointments for vaccination are available at covidvaccinelm.ca. Anyone in Ontario born in 2009 and earlier is eligible to receive the vaccine.
The Health Unit reported 18 new cases and one death due to COVID on Friday.