North Huron's Vaccination Policy

Date: October 28, 2021
For Immediate Release

North Huron’s Vaccination Policy

Provincial proof-of-vaccination requirements came into effect on September 22, 2021 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in high risk settings. Ontario Regulation 364/20 requires that proof of identification and proof of being fully immunized be assessed at the point of entry for all patrons 18 years of age and older who enter a facility for the purpose of actively participating in organized sports or recreational fitness.

In a revised letter of instruction issued by Huron-Perth Public Health (HPPH) on October 8, 2021 (original dated October 6, 2021), the Medical Officer of Health requires each person, ages 12 and older, who attends the indoor area of a facility for the purpose of:

a. Actively participating in organized sports,

b. Coaching, officiating organized sports, or volunteering;

c. Spectating at organized sports,

to provide identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or a valid medical exemption at point of entry.

North Huron is adhering to the Letter of Instruction issued by Huron-Perth Public Health on October 8, 2021 and is actively screening all patrons ages 12 and older entering a facility for the purpose of actively participating in organized sports or recreational fitness.

The Letter of Instruction also requires owners and operators of facilities used for organized sports to develop and implement a vaccination policy for facility staff, contractors and/or subcontractors and volunteers as outlined in a Letter of Recommendation issued by Huron Perth Public Health for workplaces and employers.

The original letter of instruction issued by Huron-Perth Public Health on October 6, 2021 was unclear in its direction around vaccination policies for facilities. As written, the letter of instruction was interpreted to read that facilities were expected to make vaccinations mandatory for facility staff, contractors and/or subcontractors and volunteers. The revised letter of instruction issued on October 8, 2021 clarified that owners and operators of facilities were required to develop and implement a vaccination policy for staff, contractors and/or subcontractors and volunteers.

In accordance with Huron-Perth Public Health’s Letter of Instruction and at their October 25, 2021 meeting, North Huron Council considered and adopted a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. The policy strongly recommends all Township of North Huron employees, including full-time, part-time, casual, contracted personnel, volunteers and students to be vaccinated. The policy also requires staff to complete education sessions on the benefits
of vaccination. Further, the policy states that North Huron will adhere to Public Health, Federal or Provincial government directives under their respective mandates. In the event there is a conflict between North Huron’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and other directives, the directives issued by the other government and/or public health will prevail.

Contrary to rumours in the community, North Huron would like to clarify that we continue to follow public health, Federal and Provincial government legislation, mandates, directives and best practices. North Huron accepts responsibility to its employees and stakeholders to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Employees refusing to comply with the Township’s Vaccination Policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment.

Reeve Bernie Bailey says, “North Huron’s number one priority is to protect individuals in higher-risk indoor settings and to continue to work with and support public health, federal, provincial legislation, mandates and directives to prevent the spread of COVID-19. North Huron’s employees, contracted personnel, volunteers and students are strongly recommended to be vaccinated and North Huron is moving forward to educate staff on the benefits of vaccination.

North Huron continues to encourage the following public health and workplace safety measures:

• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces
• Maintain physical distance (2 metres) from those not in your household
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Screen every day before going to work, school or childcare
• Stay home if you are sick, even with mild symptoms
• Get tested if you have symptoms, or have been exposed to COVID-19
• Follow gathering limits

For more information on this, please contact Carson Lamb, Clerk, at (519) 357-3550 or by email clamb@northhuron.ca. 

Media Spokesperson: Bernie Bailey, Reeve bbailey@northhuron.ca