The current Grey County Corporate Covid Immunization Policy is being amended to include members of council.
During the meeting on Sept. 9 and while discussing the proposed policy prepared by the Director of Human Resources, Jennifer Moreau, a suggestion was made to make it mandatory for council to provide proof of vaccination, or a medical exemption.
The policy, described as “soft mandatory,” requires all staff members of Grey County to submit their vaccination records, mirroring existing measures in place for long-term care workers.
During the meeting, Coun. Brian Milne asked if the policy applies to members of council? Moreau explained as council are not considered employees of the county, the policy does not apply to them.
“It is all wrong for council to sit here and improve a policy and say ‘but it doesn’t apply to us.’ That is wrong in my mind, and I think we should voluntarily agree to comply with this policy,” says Milne.
Coun. Rob Potter voiced his agreement with Milne on his proposal, further suggesting it apply to anyone who wishes to attend a council meeting in the future.
“If they are going to be in the same room or county building with our employees, then I think they should be required to show proof of vaccination,” says Potter.
Grey County Chief Administrative Officer Kim Wingrove expressed her concern if they were to implement the policy to any visitors to Grey County buildings, and how they might be attracting a difficult situation.
“I think what we could do is suggest the people who want to be in the chambers, which is a small enclosed space, potentially for an extended period of time, we might ask that people undergo a rapid test before being in chambers,” says Wingrove. “I would just like to give people a choice the same way we are giving our staff and the people that are coming into our buildings a choice. Our ultimate goal is to make sure that everybody is as safe as we can possibly make them.”
Staff are also being directed to seek more information on how to implement vaccination status checks on any visitors to Grey County buildings, and come back at a later date with a report.
