Central Okanagan school staff get break from COVID vaccine requirement

The Central Okanagan school board has backed off, at least for now, on a requirement that all staff and trustees have to be fully vaccinated.

The vaccine mandate was approved in January.

At a meeting last night, March 15, the board agreed to not implement that requirement for now.

“As we approached Spring Break, and after considering the new provincial health orders regarding mask wearing and vaccine passports, the board decided to pause the implementation of the vaccine mandate process it started in January,” Moyra Baxter, chair of the Board of Education, said in a news release.

“Should the situation change, the board will reconsider its options.”

READ MORE: B.C. to ease COVID-19 restrictions on masks, long-term care visits, vaccine cards

Last week. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry removed the requirement to wear masks in most indoor spaces, including schools when students return after Spring Break, and said that, as of April 8, people will no longer have to show proof of vaccination in places like restaurants and bars.

The school board continues to encourage staff and trustees to get vaccinated.

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