By Jessica Wallace - Kamloops This Week
A Thompson Nicola Regional District director wants to mandate the board to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to appear in person at regional district meetings.
On Thursday, TNRD Area A (Wells Gray Country) Carol Schaffer presented a notice of motion, during which she said COVID-19 and its variants continues to pose a threat to TNRD staff, directors, families and communities. Her notice of motion requests board directors be vaccinated to attend meetings and the regional district office in person.
If unvaccinated, Schaffer said they could appear virtually. The motion was seconded and will come forward for debate at the regional district’s next meeting, which will be held the first week of February.
One TNRD director previously said he is unvaccinated and opposed to a vaccine mandate. Cache Creek mayor Santo Talarico previously defended to KTW his “freedom to choose.”
The regional district has already mandated staff, contractors and volunteers to be vaccinated.
Effective Feb. 1, those who are not vaccinated, unless it is based on a medical condition or reason protected by the BC Human Rights Code, will not be eligible to work or provide services at the regional district.
The City of Kamloops requires its unvaccinated workers to be tested regularly and has made concessions for unvaccinated Coun. Denis Walsh to appear at meetings virtually. Walsh had COVID-19 and previously told KTW he believed he had natural immunity to the virus.
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