Amid rising concerns over the faster spreading Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus Quinte West council is aiming to push the provincial government to implement a vaccine passport system.
According to Councillor David O’Neil, once it was announced that there would be a COVID-19 vaccine passport program implemented in Quebec, vaccination numbers in that province climbed dramatically.
At Monday’s Quinte West council meeting O’Neil requested that council draft and send a letter to the provincial government asking that they consider implementing a similar system.
Before the vote took place, Councillor Michael Kotsovos remarked that there are frontline workers and teachers opting not to get vaccinated, as well as some students.
He said that employers may not be able to get employees to get the vaccination but that if the provincial government were to make it a requirement, it would make workplaces more safe.
Councillor O’Neil was in agreement with Councillor Kotsovos and it was added to the motion regarding vaccine passports, meaning the letter will ask that the provincial government consider a vaccine passport program and that “professional people” be included for mandated vaccinations.
The motion was passed unanimously.
