Public must be fully vaccinated to access Newmarket municipal offices

Newmarkettoday.ca
Sept. 22, 2021

You'll have to show proof that you're fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the Town of Newmarket municipal offices.

Council discussed vaccination policy Sept. 20 as the provincial vaccination verification system comes into place Sept. 22. Although the provincial rules will already require vaccinations for many municipal centres, Mayor John Taylor said the town will go beyond them by also requiring proof of vaccination to enter municipal offices and customer service outlets.

Taylor said the town will still try to accommodate residents in other ways under the new system if they cannot get in-person customer service. 

“Staff is already working to ensure, just as we were during closures, that every service any resident requires will be met,” Taylor said.

The rules would apply to the town office at 395 Mulock Dr., as well as kiosk customer service locations such as the Magna Centre. Meanwhile, the municipal slate of facilities will require public vaccination under provincial rules, which cover all recreation facilities and events spaces.

Meanwhile, council gave final approval Sept. 20 to enact two policies that require COVID-19 vaccines for councillors, committee members, staff and volunteers.

The policies allow for exemptions under the Human Rights Code, with those seeking an exemption having to submit an application and do regular testing.

Council has worked toward mandating staff vaccinations for several weeks, but only recently added the council policy. Staff said the town is pioneering the council policy, as they could not find any other municipalities from which to draw examples.

“It would be good leadership -- be the right thing to do, let’s call it -- in order to require a vaccination policy for our staff, we require it for ourselves,” Taylor said.

The council policy states councillors not in compliance would be referred to the integrity commissioner. Committee members that do not comply could be removed by council. Employees who do not comply could face dismissal.

You can get your proof of vaccination from the province through its website.