The City of Calgary says as of Friday, 82% of all its employees are fully vaccinated and another 4% are partially vaccinated against COVID-19..Among Calgary Fire Department employees, 80% are fully vaccinated with 2% being partially vaccinated. Calgary Police Service reports 85% fully vaxxed with 3% partially..“The City of Calgary places a primary importance on ensuring the safety of our employees and citizens,” said City Manager David Duckworth..“I’m pleased to see that the majority of our employees have stepped up to get their vaccinations, which is proven to be the best defence against COVID-19.”.The statement said those who are not fully vaccinated by Monday will be required to use home-testing kits and participate in a rapid testing program..Kits will be provided to employees free of charge for November and will allow them to take the rapid-antigen test at home and upload proof of a negative COVID-19 test twice per week, with a minimum of 72 hours between tests..City workers who choose to remain unvaccinated or have not provided proof of their vaccination status past December 1, will be required to continue participating in the rapid-testing program “on their own time and at their own expense.”.Anytime an employee shows proof of full vaccination after November 1, they will no longer need to participate in the rapid-testing program..Unvaccinated workers will also be required to take part in an education program about the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines..The city says they don’t expect any service disruptions for Calgarians and plans to “work to minimize any that arise.”.“Calgary Police Service and Calgary Fire are not projecting any service disruptions associated with the COVID-19 vaccination policy,” the statement reads. .“As public servants, each of us must do our part to protect ourselves, our co-workers and our community whether through vaccination or rapid testing,” says Duckworth..City spokesman Blair Riddle said the numbers being reported include “all active staff” and do not include anyone classified as “inactive or on leave.”.“At this time, there is no end-date in sight for the rapid testing option at employee’s expense after December 1,” Blair said..Employees are required to declare their vaccination status and upload their records by November 1 under the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
