City reimbursing some staff for COVID tests

The City of Sault Ste. Marie, under its employee vaccination policy, is reimbursing some staff members for COVID-19 tests.

The reimbursements are for those staff members who have started the vaccination process, but have not yet achieved full vaccination status.

Staff members who have not begun the vaccination process, on the other hand, are required to pay for their testing and take part in the mandatory vaccine education program provided by the City.

When asked by SooToday about municipal taxpayers footing the bill for COVID tests for some City staff, Malcolm White, City CAO, stated in an email “based on the number of employees affected and the timelines to achieve the status, we don’t anticipate a significant cost.”

“The City is not eligible for the free testing supplies available through programs such as the one administrated through the Chamber of Commerce,” White stated.

“The city’s goal is to have a fully vaccinated workforce (unless there are legitimate exceptions) in order to meet our obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. To this end we worked with Algoma Public Health to provide a pop-up vaccine clinic (open to the public as well) at our public works site in September.”

“All employers, including healthcare providers, are facing the same challenges as the city in reaching the goal of a fully vaccinated workforce,” White wrote.

To meet its vaccination goal, White said there will be another vaccination clinic held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the public works building located at 128 Sackville Rd.

No appointment is needed. Pfizer vaccines will be available to anyone born in 2009 or earlier (turning 12 before the end of 2021).