City Staff to be Fully Vaccinated to Protect Against COVID-19

City of Windsor staff will soon be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in an effort to keep staff and residents safe.

At a special meeting this evening, Windsor City Council approved a COVID-19 vaccination policy that will take effect on November 15, 2021.

The policy applies to all staff, including the Mayor and members of Council, as well as all City contractors and volunteers who attend any indoor worksites or facilities of the City.

“We are doing all we can to ensure staff and residents are as safe as they can be from COVID-19,” said Mayor Dilkens. “As leaders, each of my council colleagues, as well as the City’s Corporate Leadership Team, have already been fully vaccinated, and now we’re requiring staff to do the same for the good of our community.”

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has encouraged all employers to implement a vaccination policy to improve the protection of our community and continue to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“Simply put, vaccines work,” said Chief Administrative Officer Jason Reynar. “We know that fully vaccinated individuals have greater protection against COVID-19 than those unvaccinated, including against the Delta Variant. According to recent data from the Province of Ontario, over 85% of intensive care unit hospitalizations from COVID-19 are among the unvaccinated.”

The City is committed to human rights accommodations where a person is unable to be vaccinated for reasons protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Such situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Employees who elect not to submit documentation showing they are fully vaccinated or are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated and are without a documented medical or human rights accommodation will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence starting November 15, 2021.

At this time, the City is not mandating that the residents or visitors we serve be vaccinated, as essential services must continue to be provided to residents, but we are currently reviewing our obligation as it relates to non-essential services. Public health guidelines regarding handwashing, physical distancing and the wearing of appropriate face coverings and personal protective equipment will all be followed regardless of vaccination status.