Following the Provincial government’s announcement on Wednesday that a vaccine passport will be implemented across Ontario as of September 22nd, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is recommending that all employers and business operators in the region implement a COVID-19 vaccination policy in order to ensure two-dose vaccination for anyone eligible in their workplace, business or facility.
Ontario’s passport system will focus on requiring eligible individuals to be fully vaccinated in order to access higher-risk indoor public settings where masks cannot always be worn such as restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, sporting events and concerts. In addition to the Province’s passport system, the Middlesex-London Medical Officer of Health has issued a Letter of Recommendation to Employers and Business Operators, calling on all businesses to implement workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies, requiring all employees, volunteers, and contractors who have in-person interactions to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with exceptions accommodated under exempted medical conditions and other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective public heath measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. By requiring eligible individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in any in-person activities in the workplace, and implementing additional guidelines such as physical distancing, remote work and active screening, businesses can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, outbreaks and death.
“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,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “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.”
Guidance for employers and business operators, including a primer for how to implement mandatory vaccination policies in the workplace can be found on the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s website at: www.healthunit.com/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination-policies.
The vaccine is now available to everyone in Ontario born in or before 2009. To book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic, visit www.covidvaccinelm.ca or stop by one of the walk-in pop-up vaccination clinics in London and Middlesex County. For a complete list of vaccination clinic locations and times visit www.healthunit.com/pop-up-vaccination-clinics.
Media Contact:
Beth Milne, Communications Supervisor, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-617-0564 (cell).
Spokesperson:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit