City of Regina requires proof of vaccination for patrons of city facilities, employees

REGINA -

The City of Regina is working toward requiring proof of vaccination for employees.

The city is also working toward requiring proof of vaccination from all members of the public who access indoor city facilities by Sept. 20. Those unable to be vaccinated will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test.

“We are going to put the onus on the individual to make sure that they can bring a proof of negative test to enter our facilities. It’s not our intention to do rapid tests with the members of the public, we would only be doing that with our staff,” Chris Holden, city manager, said.

Holden said these are currently targeted dates as the city waits for the province to create the COVID-19 vaccine QR codes.

“It really does create a challenge if the QR code isn’t ready,” Holden added. “The province is well aware through communication that the QR code is needed.”

On Sept. 4, mask use will once again be mandatory at indoor City of Regina buildings and on Regina Transit. The shuttle bus to and from Rider games is included in the returning mask mandate.

Mosaic stadium is exempt from this because it is an outdoor facility.

“The Riders are recommending that people wear a mask, that’s always been their message, but with it being an outdoor space it is not a requirement,” Holden said.

“The health and safety of City of Regina residents and employees is our top priority,” said Chris Holden, city manager. “Masks continue to be an effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19 while vaccination is the best protection against the virus. The most important way to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbours is for every eligible individual to be vaccinated.”

In a news release, the City of Regina said it is encouraged by the province’s move to include digital QR codes on the MySaskHealth vaccination record.

One provincial health official told CTV News it is encouraging to see the City of Regina do this and hopes it influences more people to get vaccinated, as well as more businesses to implement their own mandates.

“We can change those behaviours right now again to avoid a lockdown (and) interact more safely in these coming weeks to next few months,” Dr. Cory Neudorf, interim senior medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said

CITY FACILITIES ON ELECTION DAY

According to Holden, several city facilities will be used as polling stations on federal election day. He said the logistics of requiring proof of vaccination at these locations is still under review.